Tetrastichus
This record describes Tetrastichus (genus). Recorded family: Eulophidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Over 30 UK species, very difficult to differentiate. Tetrastichus : Submarginal vein in forewing with one dorsal seta, propodeum with a carina (ridge) branched like an inverted Y. Aprostocetus : Submarginal vein in forewing with 2-5 (usually 3 or more) dorsal setae, propodeum with an unbranched medial carina (ridge). Quadrastichus and Oomyzus also share the single seta on the submarginal vein with Tetrastichus , but they lack the Y-shaped propodeal carina. Unless identified by a recognized expert, explain how the specimen was identified and include photos of key features. Hansson, C., & Schmidt, S. (2020). A revision of European species of the genus Tetrastichus Haliday (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) using integrative taxonomy. Biodiversity data journal, 8, e59177. No additional images available for this species.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Chalcidoidea
- Family
- Eulophidae
- Subfamily
- Tetrastichinae
- Genus
- Tetrastichus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Widespread.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Tetrastichus. 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.
