Torymus koebelei
This record describes Torymus koebelei (species). Recorded family: Torymidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Has been reared from cecidomyiid galls on Baccharis , Artemisia , and a number of other Asteraceae. T. koebelei is in the tubicola species group.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Chalcidoidea
- Family
- Torymidae
- Subfamily
- Toryminae
- Genus
- Torymus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
w. US (WA-CA to MT-TX) and Mexico
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Host: Dipteran families Cecidomyiidae & Tephritidae ( Ceratitis capitata )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Callimome koebelei Huber, 1927
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Torymus koebelei. 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 Torymus koebelei (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Bob Carlson; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Aaron Schusteff , ceiseman , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Torymus koebelei
What is Torymus koebelei?
Torymus koebelei is a species in the family Torymidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Torymus koebelei?
Body Length: Males range from 1.0 to 1.7 mm; females range in size from 1.2 to 2.3 mm (ovipositor excluded).
Where is Torymus koebelei found?
Range: w. US (WA-CA to MT-TX) and Mexico
What does Torymus koebelei eat?
The diet of the Torymus koebelei includes Host: Dipteran families Cecidomyiidae & Tephritidae ( Ceratitis capitata ).