Brazilian Peppertree Seed Chalcidoid Wasp
Megastigmus transvaalensis
This record describes Megastigmus transvaalensis (species). Recorded family: Megastigmidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wikipedia reference for Megastigmus transvaalensis: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megastigmus_transvaalensis.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Chalcidoidea
- Family
- Megastigmidae
- Genus
- Megastigmus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Native to South Africa; introduced to the US (CA, FL, HI)
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Novel host species in the Americas include 2 species of Schinus ( S. molle and S. terebinthifolia , the Brazilian peppertree). Native hosts from Africa include 6 species of Rhus ( R. angustifolia , R. laevigata , R. lancea , R. natalensis , R. tripartita , R. vulgaris )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Megastigmus transvaalensis (Hussey 1956)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Megastigmus transvaalensis. 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 Brazilian Peppertree Seed Chalcidoid Wasp (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Ken Wolgemuth; Additional contributions by PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Brazilian Peppertree Seed Chalcidoid Wasp
How big is Brazilian Peppertree Seed Chalcidoid Wasp?
3.1-3.4 mm (inc. ovipositor 1.5-1.9mm); males 2.3-2.9 mm
Where is Brazilian Peppertree Seed Chalcidoid Wasp found?
Range: Native to South Africa; introduced to the US (CA, FL, HI)
What is the life cycle of a Brazilian Peppertree Seed Chalcidoid Wasp?
Novel host species in the Americas include 2 species of Schinus ( S. molle and S. terebinthifolia , the Brazilian peppertree). Native hosts from Africa include 6 species of Rhus ( R. angustifolia , R. laevigata , R. lancea , R. natalensis , R. tripartita , R. vulgaris )