Oobius agrili
This record describes Oobius agrili (species). Recorded family: Encyrtidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
introduced into NA to control A. planipennis (emerald ash borer) ( Bauer & Houping 2007 )
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Chalcidoidea
- Family
- Encyrtidae (Encyrtid Wasps)
- Subfamily
- Encyrtinae
- Genus
- Oobius
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
native to China
Diet and Behavior
Diet: solitary egg parasitoid of Agrilus planipennis
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Oobius agrili Zhang & Huang 2005
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Oobius agrili. 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 Oobius agrili
What is Oobius agrili?
Oobius agrili is a species in the family Encyrtidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
Where is Oobius agrili found?
Range: native to China
What does Oobius agrili eat?
The diet of the Oobius agrili includes solitary egg parasitoid of Agrilus planipennis.