Pachysomoides stupidus
This record describes Pachysomoides stupidus (species). Recorded family: Ichneumonidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Ornate, black-and-white insect with orange legs (Bug Eric)
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Ichneumonoidea
- Family
- Ichneumonidae (Ichneumonid Wasps)
- Subfamily
- Cryptinae
- Tribe
- Cryptini
- Genus
- Pachysomoides
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
NC south to FL, west to IL & TX; also West Indies and Mexico
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Parasitoids of paper wasps in the genus Polistes .
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Pachysomoides stupidus. 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 Pachysomoides stupidus (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Bob Carlson; Additional contributions by cotinis , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Pachysomoides stupidus
What is Pachysomoides stupidus?
Pachysomoides stupidus is a species in the family Ichneumonidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Pachysomoides stupidus?
Ornate, black-and-white insect with orange legs (Bug Eric)
Where is Pachysomoides stupidus found?
Range: NC south to FL, west to IL & TX; also West Indies and Mexico
What is the life cycle of a Pachysomoides stupidus?
Parasitoids of paper wasps in the genus Polistes .