Melanichneumon pluto
This record describes Melanichneumon pluto (species). Recorded family: Ichneumonidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Male similar in coloration to that of Vulgichneumon brevicinctor , but vertical orbits, facial orbits, pronotum (collar), and fore and middle tibiae and femora with with markings in addition to those of the antennae, the scutellum, and the two apical sternites.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Ichneumonoidea
- Family
- Ichneumonidae (Ichneumonid Wasps)
- Subfamily
- Ichneumoninae
- Tribe
- Ichneumonini
- Genus
- Melanichneumon
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
ON; MI, NM, NY, OH
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Melanichneumon pluto (Viereck, 1903)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Melanichneumon pluto. 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 Melanichneumon pluto (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Bob Carlson; Additional contributions by PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Melanichneumon pluto
What is Melanichneumon pluto?
Melanichneumon pluto is a species in the family Ichneumonidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Melanichneumon pluto?
Male similar in coloration to that of Vulgichneumon brevicinctor , but vertical orbits, facial orbits, pronotum (collar), and fore and middle tibiae and femora with with markings in addition to those of the antennae, the scutellum, and the two apical sternites.
Where is Melanichneumon pluto found?
Range: ON; MI, NM, NY, OH