Olixon melinsula
This record describes Olixon melinsula (species). Recorded family: Rhopalosomatidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Female can be distinguished from O. banksii by the the presence of a malar sulcus connecting the eye and the mandible, and by coloration: O. banksii is uniformly reddish-brown, O. melinsula dark on the head, antennae (except base), apical segments & on tergite II of the abdomen. Male unknown. Discussion on this species
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Vespoidea
- Family
- Rhopalosomatidae
- Genus
- Olixon
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
in LA, found in grass along the edge of a swampy forest
Geographic Range
US Gulf States (FL-LA-TX) & Paraguay; known from a handful of specimens
Seasonal Activity
May-Oct
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Olixon melinsula Lohrmann 2012
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Olixon melinsula. 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 Olixon melinsula (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Mark Fox; Additional contributions by cotinis , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Olixon melinsula
What is Olixon melinsula?
Olixon melinsula is a species in the family Rhopalosomatidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Olixon melinsula?
~7mm
How do you identify Olixon melinsula?
Female can be distinguished from O. banksii by the the presence of a malar sulcus connecting the eye and the mandible, and by coloration: O. banksii is uniformly reddish-brown, O. melinsula dark on the head, antennae (except base), apical segments & on tergite II of the abdomen. Male unknown.
Where is Olixon melinsula found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | in LA, found in grass along the edge of a swampy forest |
| Range | US Gulf States (FL-LA-TX) & Paraguay; known from a handful of specimens |
When is Olixon melinsula active?
Olixon melinsula: seasonal activity - May-Oct.