Megaxyela inversa
This record describes Megaxyela inversa (species). Recorded family: Xyelidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Female | ovipositor long and dorsally curved, black with white margins on terga, legs orange with hind legs black beyond distal 0.2 of femur |
| Male | unknown |
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Family
- Xyelidae (Xyelid Sawflies)
- Subfamily
- Macroxyelinae
- Genus
- Megaxyela
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
WV , BugGuide/iNaturalist data add IL
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Megaxyela inversa Blank & Smith, 2017
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Megaxyela inversa. 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 Megaxyela inversa (4)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jonathan Hoskins
Frequently Asked Questions About Megaxyela inversa
What is Megaxyela inversa?
Megaxyela inversa is a species in the family Xyelidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Megaxyela inversa?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Female | ovipositor long and dorsally curved, black with white margins on terga, legs orange with hind legs black beyond distal 0.2 of femur |
| Male | unknown |
Where is Megaxyela inversa found?
Range: WV , BugGuide/iNaturalist data add IL