Rhyssella nitida
This record describes Rhyssella nitida (species). Recorded family: Ichneumonidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Identified as Rhyssinae by the ridged mesoscutum and lack of anterolateral grooves on T2 of the abdomen and as Rhyssella by the smaller size, lack of a median tooth on the clypeus, basal fusing of the first sternite and tergite, general black-white-orange coloration, and lesser to no white markings on the first four segments of the abdomen. It is further separated from R. humida by the black posterior orbits (creating two vertical white lines on the face rather than loops), entirely black sternum, and in females only slight bands on the apical segments of the abdomen. ♀ ♂
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Ichneumonoidea
- Family
- Ichneumonidae (Ichneumonid Wasps)
- Subfamily
- Rhyssinae
- Genus
- Rhyssella
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
eastern (ME south to GA, west to MN & IA) plus BC & WA
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Xiphydria canadensis , Xiphydria maculata , Xiphydria tibialis .
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Rhyssella nitida (Cresson, 1864)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Rhyssella nitida. 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 Rhyssella nitida (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Bob Carlson; Additional contributions by PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Rhyssella nitida
What is Rhyssella nitida?
Rhyssella nitida is a species in the family Ichneumonidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Rhyssella nitida?
Identified as Rhyssinae by the ridged mesoscutum and lack of anterolateral grooves on T2 of the abdomen and as Rhyssella by the smaller size, lack of a median tooth on the clypeus, basal fusing of the first sternite and tergite, general black-white-orange coloration, and lesser to no white markings on the first four segments of the abdomen. It is further separated from R. humida by the black posterior orbits (creating two vertical white lines on the face rather than loops), entirely black sternum, and in females only slight bands on the apical segments of the abdomen. ♀ ♂
Where is Rhyssella nitida found?
Range: eastern (ME south to GA, west to MN & IA) plus BC & WA
What does Rhyssella nitida eat?
The diet of the Rhyssella nitida includes Xiphydria canadensis , Xiphydria maculata , Xiphydria tibialis ..