Proterops proteroptoides
This record describes Proterops proteroptoides (species). Recorded family: Braconidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Of eastern species, distinguished from P. abdominalis by the yellow-orange head and thorax with few, albeit large, black spots including on the vertex, scutellum, pleurae, and most of the propodeum (minus a Ʌ-shaped mark). Males may have a more extensively black mesoscutum.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Ichneumonoidea
- Family
- Braconidae (Braconid Wasps)
- Subfamily
- Proteropinae
- Genus
- Proterops
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
QC south to FL, west to SD, CO, & TX
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Proterops proteroptoides (Viereck, 1905)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Proterops proteroptoides. 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 Proterops proteroptoides (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jonathan Hoskins
Frequently Asked Questions About Proterops proteroptoides
What is Proterops proteroptoides?
Proterops proteroptoides is a species in the family Braconidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Proterops proteroptoides?
Of eastern species, distinguished from P. abdominalis by the yellow-orange head and thorax with few, albeit large, black spots including on the vertex, scutellum, pleurae, and most of the propodeum (minus a Ʌ-shaped mark). Males may have a more extensively black mesoscutum.
Where is Proterops proteroptoides found?
Range: QC south to FL, west to SD, CO, & TX