Trogomorpha trogiformis
This record describes Trogomorpha trogiformis (species). Recorded family: Ichneumonidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Noted for its uniformly red body, broad white to yellow bands (annuli) on the antennae, and very dark, somewhat iridescent, blackish wings. The abdomen, typical of this genus, has distinctively beadlike segments, noticeably bulging outward and lacking a smooth profile. The temples are also particularly bulging. Males: Black hind coxae, often black hind femora, and yellowish hind tarsi. Heinrich's description excludes the possibility of black tarsi. Female Male Note: Other Ichneumonini species can have similar coloration (red body, blackish wings, annulus on the flagellum). Diagnosis based primarily on color resulted in a number of erroneous records in the post-Carlson years of the site.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Ichneumonoidea
- Family
- Ichneumonidae (Ichneumonid Wasps)
- Subfamily
- Ichneumoninae
- Tribe
- Ichneumonini
- Genus
- Trogomorpha
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larval host: Ephyriades brunnea (Herrich-Schaffer 1864) - Florida duskywing skipper
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Trogomorpha trogiformis. 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 Trogomorpha trogiformis (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Bob Carlson; Additional contributions by PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Trogomorpha trogiformis
What is Trogomorpha trogiformis?
Trogomorpha trogiformis is a species in the family Ichneumonidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Trogomorpha trogiformis?
Noted for its uniformly red body, broad white to yellow bands (annuli) on the antennae, and very dark, somewhat iridescent, blackish wings. The abdomen, typical of this genus, has distinctively beadlike segments, noticeably bulging outward and lacking a smooth profile. The temples are also particularly bulging. Males: Black hind coxae, often black hind femora, and yellowish hind tarsi. Heinrich's description excludes the possibility of black tarsi. Female Male
What does Trogomorpha trogiformis eat?
The diet of the Trogomorpha trogiformis includes Larval host: Ephyriades brunnea (Herrich-Schaffer 1864) - Florida duskywing skipper.