Pimpla pedalis
This record describes Pimpla pedalis (species). Recorded family: Ichneumonidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Among North American Pimpla species, this color pattern is distinctive: black hind tibia in combination with the ferruginous hind femur, hind coxa, and mid coxa. -- Bob Carlson
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Ichneumonoidea
- Family
- Ichneumonidae (Ichneumonid Wasps)
- Subfamily
- Pimplinae
- Tribe
- Pimplini
- Genus
- Pimpla
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
NL to VA, to AK and CA
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae are known to parasitize caterpillars of several species of the family Tortricidae ( Archips argyrospila , Argyrotaenia mariana , Pseudosciaphila duplex ), Geometridae ( Lambdina fiscellaria , Protoboarmia porcelaria ), Lasiocampidae ( Malacosoma americanum , M. californicum , M. disstria ), Erebidae ( Ctenucha virginica , Dasychira plagiata , Euproctis chrysorrhoea , Leucoma salicis , Lophocampa caryae , Lophocampa maculata , Lymantria dispar , Orgyia antiqua , O. leucostigma , Pyrrharctia isabella ), Notodontidae ( Heterocampa guttivitta ), Noctuidae ( Acronicta americana , Leucania linita , Mythimna unipuncta ), Hesperiidae ( Epargyreus clarus ), Pieridae ( Neophasia menapia ). Other hosts include sawfly larvae ( Gilpinia hercyniae , Neodiprion sp.)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Pimpla pedalis Cresson, 1865
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Pimpla pedalis. 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 Pimpla pedalis (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by John R. Maxwell; Additional contributions by Vox Sciurorum , KenW , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Pimpla pedalis
What is Pimpla pedalis?
Pimpla pedalis is a species in the family Ichneumonidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Pimpla pedalis?
Among North American Pimpla species, this color pattern is distinctive: black hind tibia in combination with the ferruginous hind femur, hind coxa, and mid coxa. -- Bob Carlson
Where is Pimpla pedalis found?
Range: NL to VA, to AK and CA
What does Pimpla pedalis eat?
The diet of the Pimpla pedalis includes Larvae are known to parasitize caterpillars of several species of the family Tortricidae ( Archips argyrospila , Argyrotaenia mariana , Pseudosciaphila duplex ), Geometridae ( Lambdina fiscellaria , Protoboarmia porcelaria ), Lasiocampidae ( Malacosoma americanum , M. californicum , M. disstria ), Erebidae ( Ctenucha virginica , Dasychira plagiata , Euproctis chrysorrhoea , Leucoma salicis , Lophocampa caryae , Lophocampa maculata , Lymantria dispar , Orgyia antiqua , O. leucostigma , Pyrrharctia isabella ), Notodontidae ( Heterocampa guttivitta ), Noctuidae ( Acronicta americana , Leucania linita , Mythimna unipuncta ), Hesperiidae ( Epargyreus clarus ), Pieridae ( Neophasia menapia ). Other hosts include sawfly larvae ( Gilpinia hercyniae , Neodiprion sp.).