Ophion slossonae
This record describes Ophion slossonae (species). Recorded family: Ichneumonidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Noted as a large ophionine with often very dark wings and a contrasted fulvous (brownish-orange) pterostigma. The ocelli are especially large and prominent, further separated than in many other species. Per Marla Schwarzfeld: Ophion slossonae is by far the largest Nearctic Ophion species I have examined, and also has unusually dark infuscate wings ( Figure 3-2d ); this last species was only successfully sequenced for COI. While a few other species of Ophion have pigmented wings, they are either subhyaline or subfuliginous (more pale in pigmentation), not truly becoming fuliginous (blackened).
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Ichneumonoidea
- Family
- Ichneumonidae (Ichneumonid Wasps)
- Subfamily
- Ophioninae
- Genus
- Ophion
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
NH west to w. SD, south to GA and s. TX "from the lower Boreal at 45° to the lower edge of the Upper Austral at 38°, and possibly into the Lower Austral zones."
Seasonal Activity
June-September (most abundant August-September)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae are parasitoids of Lepidoptera. The full range of hosts is unknown, but the type material was reared from a "dark cocoon of one of the larger species of Acronycta (Apatela) ." Carlson reports Acronicta americana as the current combination for its host.
Life History
Very little is known.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Ophion slossonae Davis, 1893
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Ophion slossonae. 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 Ophion slossonae (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jonathan Hoskins
Frequently Asked Questions About Ophion slossonae
What is Ophion slossonae?
Ophion slossonae is a species in the family Ichneumonidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Ophion slossonae?
body 19-25 mm (antennae another 22-28 mm) wing 18-22 mm (wingspread 38-46 mm)
How do you identify Ophion slossonae?
Noted as a large ophionine with often very dark wings and a contrasted fulvous (brownish-orange) pterostigma. The ocelli are especially large and prominent, further separated than in many other species. Per Marla Schwarzfeld: Ophion slossonae is by far the largest Nearctic Ophion species I have examined, and also has unusually dark infuscate wings ( Figure 3-2d ); this last species was only successfully sequenced for COI. While a few other species of Ophion have pigmented wings, they are either subhyaline or subfuliginous (more pale in pigmentation), not truly becoming fuliginous (blackened).
Where is Ophion slossonae found?
Range: NH west to w. SD, south to GA and s. TX from the lower Boreal at 45° to the lower edge of the Upper Austral at 38°, and possibly into the Lower Austral zones.
What does Ophion slossonae eat?
The diet of the Ophion slossonae includes Larvae are parasitoids of Lepidoptera. The full range of hosts is unknown, but the type material was reared from a dark cocoon of one of the larger species of Acronycta (Apatela) . Carlson reports Acronicta americana as the current combination for its host..
When is Ophion slossonae active?
Ophion slossonae: seasonal activity - June-September (most abundant August-September).
What is the life cycle of a Ophion slossonae?
Very little is known.