Leucospis robertsoni
This record describes Leucospis robertsoni (species). Recorded family: Leucospidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
This is one of three large, red chalcidoids that are mimics of various red-and-black mason wasps in Florida and surrounding states. Most images here were previously misidentified as Leucospis affinis floridana . Leucospis robertsoni , like Leucospis affinis floridana is separated from L. slossonae by the less enlarged hind femur. The female of L. robertsoni also has a long ovipositor, curved forward and reaching the hind margin of the first tergite, versus reaching the metasoma in L. affinis floridana or very short ovipositor in L. slossonae .
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Chalcidoidea
- Family
- Leucospidae
- Genus
- Leucospis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Leucospis robertsoni. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hymenoptera includes over 150,000 described species of ants, bees, wasps, and sawflies. Earth harbors approximately 20 quadrillion (20×10^15) ants, with a combined biomass of ~12 megatons of dry carbon - exceeding the combined biomass of all wild birds and mammals (PNAS, 2022).
Ecological role of the group
About 35% of the world's food crops depend on animal pollinators. The chocolate industry, valued at over $100 billion, depends on pollinating flies and midges. Ants are the dominant soil engineers in most terrestrial ecosystems, turning more soil than earthworms in many habitats.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Pollinators contribute $235-577 billion worth of annual global food production (FAO). In the U.S., bee pollination alone benefits crops valued at $18 billion annually, and honey bees are responsible for $5.4 billion in agricultural productivity. Between April 2023-2024, 55.1% of managed honey bee colonies were lost. The U.S. bee population dropped from 5 million to 2.5 million.
Recorded sources for this group: FAO, USDA, EPA, PNAS (2022), US Fish & Wildlife Service. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Leucospis robertsoni (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jonathan Hoskins