Pnigalio species-one
This record describes Pnigalio species-one (species). Recorded family: Eulophidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The male and female placed here belong to the same species, but it is unclear what species that is. Christer Hansson tried to key them using Yoshimoto (1983), and reported: The female runs to P. kukakensis (or P. maculipes - difficult to say as the key in this couplet is very unclear), and the male runs without difficulties to P. pallipes (according to the female this is an impossible result). So either this species is not included in Yoshimoto, or the key does not work very well. Difficult to say unless one thoroughly revises the group.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Chalcidoidea
- Family
- Eulophidae
- Subfamily
- Eulophinae
- Tribe
- Eulophini
- Genus
- Pnigalio
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Pnigalio species-one. 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 Pnigalio species-one (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Charley Eiseman