Macrocentrus nigridorsis
This record describes Macrocentrus nigridorsis (species). Recorded family: Braconidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Maxillary palpi conspicuously longer than height of head; scutellum shorter (less than half median length of propodeum); ovipositor sheaths longer than body; scapes pale yellow; head and thorax black; abdomen with tergites entirely black (or at most T3 with pale margin) and sternites 1-3 pale yellow; stigma entirely dark; legs yellowish with hind tibiae and tarsi infuscated.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Ichneumonoidea
- Family
- Braconidae (Braconid Wasps)
- Subfamily
- Macrocentrinae
- Genus
- Macrocentrus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Widespread (AK-NF-LB, south to NC-TX-CO-OR)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Polyembryonic parasitoids of Lepidoptera (Tortricidae, Gelechiidae, & Crambidae), including Olethreutes fasciatana, Olethreutes inornatana, Archips purpurana, Clepsis melaleucana, Clepsis persicana, Choristoneura conflictana, Choristoneura parallela, Choristoneura rosaceana, Pseudosciaphila duplex, Sparganothis sp, Gnorimoschema sp, and Pyrausta sp. ( 3 ) , averaging 36 adults per host in C. rosaceana (Li et al. 1999).
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Macrocentrus nigridorsis. 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 Macrocentrus nigridorsis (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Brad Barnd; Additional contributions by PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Macrocentrus nigridorsis
What is Macrocentrus nigridorsis?
Macrocentrus nigridorsis is a species in the family Braconidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Macrocentrus nigridorsis?
Maxillary palpi conspicuously longer than height of head; scutellum shorter (less than half median length of propodeum); ovipositor sheaths longer than body; scapes pale yellow; head and thorax black; abdomen with tergites entirely black (or at most T3 with pale margin) and sternites 1-3 pale yellow; stigma entirely dark; legs yellowish with hind tibiae and tarsi infuscated.
Where is Macrocentrus nigridorsis found?
Range: Widespread (AK-NF-LB, south to NC-TX-CO-OR)
What does Macrocentrus nigridorsis eat?
The diet of the Macrocentrus nigridorsis includes Polyembryonic parasitoids of Lepidoptera (Tortricidae, Gelechiidae, & Crambidae), including Olethreutes fasciatana, Olethreutes inornatana, Archips purpurana, Clepsis melaleucana, Clepsis persicana, Choristoneura conflictana, Choristoneura parallela, Choristoneura rosaceana, Pseudosciaphila duplex, Sparganothis sp, Gnorimoschema sp, and Pyrausta sp. ( 3 ) , averaging 36 adults per host in C. rosaceana (Li et al. 1999)..