Oethecoctonus oecanthi
This record describes Oethecoctonus oecanthi (species). Recorded family: Scelionidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
...distinctly excavate occiput (comment by O. A. Popovici)
Wikipedia reference for Oethecoctonus oecanthi: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oethecoctonus_oecanthi.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Platygastroidea
- Family
- Scelionidae
- Subfamily
- Scelioninae
- Genus
- Oethecoctonus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Invade eggs of tree crickets. One wasp develops in a single egg oviposited by Oecanthinae in stems.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Oethecoctonus oecanthi. 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 Oethecoctonus oecanthi (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Wisconsin Oecanthinancy
Frequently Asked Questions About Oethecoctonus oecanthi
What is Oethecoctonus oecanthi?
Oethecoctonus oecanthi is a species in the family Scelionidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Oethecoctonus oecanthi?
2.9 - 2.4mm
How do you identify Oethecoctonus oecanthi?
...distinctly excavate occiput (comment by O. A. Popovici)
Where is Oethecoctonus oecanthi found?
Habitat: Invade eggs of tree crickets. One wasp develops in a single egg oviposited by Oecanthinae in stems.