Myzinum maculatum
This record describes Myzinum maculatum (species). Recorded family: Thynnidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The males have clear wings obfuscate near apex [feature shared with a few other spp.]; female wings are distinctly bicolored. ♂ Det. Arturo Santos, 2020 The leg coloring in females may vary (little to extensive yellow and reddish markings) ♀
Wikipedia reference for Myzinum maculatum: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myzinum_maculatum.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Thynnoidea
- Family
- Thynnidae (Thynnid Wasps)
- Subfamily
- Myzininae
- Genus
- Myzinum
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
the most widespread species in NA: much of the US (north to VT-ND-ID-n.CA) to Costa Rica
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Myzinum maculatum. 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 Myzinum maculatum (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by George Waldren; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , v belov , Robert H. Biagi
Frequently Asked Questions About Myzinum maculatum
What is Myzinum maculatum?
Myzinum maculatum is a species in the family Thynnidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Myzinum maculatum?
11–16 mm
How do you identify Myzinum maculatum?
The males have clear wings obfuscate near apex [feature shared with a few other spp.]; female wings are distinctly bicolored. ♂ Det. Arturo Santos, 2020 The leg coloring in females may vary (little to extensive yellow and reddish markings) ♀
Where is Myzinum maculatum found?
Range: the most widespread species in NA: much of the US (north to VT-ND-ID-n.CA) to Costa Rica