Xyela linsleyi
This record describes Xyela linsleyi (species). Recorded family: Xyelidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Females with ventral margin of the saw-like end of the abdomen shallowly curving down, the sheath shorter than 6.5 mm, without the dorsal and ventral margins abruptly meeting at the end to form an acute apex, and in cross section ovular instead of flattened. Third segment of maxillary palpus shorter than first antennal segment, thinner than third antennal segment (Burdick, 1961). Background color yellow to orange, wing veins dull translucent brown, stigma hyaline, wing membrane hyaline. (Burdick, 1961).
Wikipedia reference for Xyela linsleyi: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xyela_linsleyi.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Family
- Xyelidae (Xyelid Sawflies)
- Subfamily
- Xyelinae
- Genus
- Xyela
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Known from CA, ID, and WA.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Xyela linsleyi Burdick 1961
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Xyela linsleyi. 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 Xyela linsleyi (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Ken Schneider; Additional contributions by v belov , Arturo Santos
Frequently Asked Questions About Xyela linsleyi
What is Xyela linsleyi?
Xyela linsleyi is a species in the family Xyelidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Xyela linsleyi?
Females with ventral margin of the saw-like end of the abdomen shallowly curving down, the sheath shorter than 6.5 mm, without the dorsal and ventral margins abruptly meeting at the end to form an acute apex, and in cross section ovular instead of flattened. Third segment of maxillary palpus shorter than first antennal segment, thinner than third antennal segment (Burdick, 1961). Background color yellow to orange, wing veins dull translucent brown, stigma hyaline, wing membrane hyaline. (Burdick, 1961).
Where is Xyela linsleyi found?
Range: Known from CA, ID, and WA.