Steffanolampus salicetum
This record describes Steffanolampus salicetum (species). Recorded family: Perilampidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Perilampus salicetum Steffan (Chalcidoidea) is removed to the monotypic Steffanolampus (gen. nov.). The type series was dubiously reported as being taken in either Austria or the Far East but the species has been subsequently found only from Quebec to Maryland and Michigan, as well as in Washington State. It is associated with several anobiid beetles. - Abstract, Peck (1974).
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Chalcidoidea
- Family
- Perilampidae (Perilampid Wasps)
- Genus
- Steffanolampus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Quebec to Maryland and Michigan, as well as in Washington State, Peck (1974). Type locality: Vienna Austria - dubious, see Peck (1974).
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Steffan (1952) attributes the species " Perilampus salicetum " to "(Giraud) Laboulbene (sine descr. [without description]) (1877) Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr., p. 422." with type locality: Vienne (Autriche) [Vienna Austria].
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Steffanolampus salicetum. 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 Steffanolampus salicetum (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Steve Nanz