Metapelma schwarzi
This record describes Metapelma schwarzi (species). Recorded family: Metapelmatidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Females of the two Metapelma species can be separated by the length of the ovipositor. The ovipositor of M. schwarzi is a fraction of the length of the gaster (~1/3) whereas that of M. spectabile is roughly as long as the gaster. Care is necessary with identification as coloration is not useful in separating the species.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Chalcidoidea
- Family
- Metapelmatidae
- Subfamily
- Metapelmatinae
- Genus
- Metapelma
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Transcontinental (CT, NY, & NJ, south to FL, west to MO, AR, AZ, OR, & CA)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larval hosts: Apteromechus ferratus (in red bay and many non-oak trees) and Magdalis armicollis (in elm).
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Metapelma schwarzi (Ashmead, 1890)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Metapelma schwarzi. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Metapelma schwarzi
What is Metapelma schwarzi?
Metapelma schwarzi is a species in the family Metapelmatidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Metapelma schwarzi?
Females of the two Metapelma species can be separated by the length of the ovipositor. The ovipositor of M. schwarzi is a fraction of the length of the gaster (~1/3) whereas that of M. spectabile is roughly as long as the gaster. Care is necessary with identification as coloration is not useful in separating the species.
Where is Metapelma schwarzi found?
Range: Transcontinental (CT, NY, & NJ, south to FL, west to MO, AR, AZ, OR, & CA)
What does Metapelma schwarzi eat?
The diet of the Metapelma schwarzi includes Larval hosts: Apteromechus ferratus (in red bay and many non-oak trees) and Magdalis armicollis (in elm)..