Myzinum quinquecinctum
This record describes Myzinum quinquecinctum (species). Recorded family: Thynnidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Both genders have the wings darkened evenly overall. Males have brown tinted wings. Females have orange tinted wings. ♂ Females have red antennae, including the flagellum. Sometimes you can see yellow coloring on the scape. ♀
Wikipedia reference for Myzinum quinquecinctum: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myzinum_quinquecinctum.
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
e. NA to AZ & WY (QC-ND-WY to FL-TX-AZ) to Costa Rica
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Myzinum quinquecinctum (Fabricius 1775)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Myzinum quinquecinctum. 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 quinquecinctum (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jason D. Roberts; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Mike Quinn , John S. Ascher , v belov , Robert H. Biagi , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Myzinum quinquecinctum
What is Myzinum quinquecinctum?
Myzinum quinquecinctum is a species in the family Thynnidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Myzinum quinquecinctum?
16–22 mm
How do you identify Myzinum quinquecinctum?
Both genders have the wings darkened evenly overall. Males have brown tinted wings. Females have orange tinted wings. ♂ Females have red antennae, including the flagellum. Sometimes you can see yellow coloring on the scape. ♀
Where is Myzinum quinquecinctum found?
Range: e. NA to AZ & WY (QC-ND-WY to FL-TX-AZ) to Costa Rica