Macrophya nigra
This record describes Macrophya nigra (species). Recorded family: Tenthredinidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Females are distinctive with the combination of white antennal tips, entirely black hind tibia and tarsus, and entirely black scutellum.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Family
- Tenthredinidae (Common Sawflies)
- Subfamily
- Tenthredininae
- Tribe
- Macrophyini
- Genus
- Macrophya
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
eastern US and adjacent Canada (NH south to AL, west to IL & KS)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Mullein Foxglove ( Dasistoma macrophylla )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Macrophya nigra (Norton 1860)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Macrophya nigra. 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 Macrophya nigra (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by ceiseman , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Macrophya nigra
What is Macrophya nigra?
Macrophya nigra is a species in the family Tenthredinidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Macrophya nigra?
Females are distinctive with the combination of white antennal tips, entirely black hind tibia and tarsus, and entirely black scutellum.
Where is Macrophya nigra found?
Range: eastern US and adjacent Canada (NH south to AL, west to IL & KS)
What does Macrophya nigra eat?
The diet of the Macrophya nigra includes Mullein Foxglove ( Dasistoma macrophylla ).