Xyela middlekauffi
This record describes Xyela middlekauffi (species). Recorded family: Xyelidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Females with ventral margin of the saw-like end of the abdomen straight, the sheath with the dorsal and ventral margins tapering throughout their entire length to an acute apex, the cross section of this sheath diamond-shaped, less than 2.6 mm, and this species is eastern in distribution (Burdick, 1961). Female background color yellow, wing veins pale brown, stigma pale translucent brown, wing membrane hyaline. Third segment of maxillary palpus longer than first antennal segment, as wide as third antennal segment (Burdick, 1961).
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
QC-MD to UT-NM
Diet and Behavior
Diet: White pine ( Pinus strobus )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Xyela middlekauffi Burdick 1961
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Xyela middlekauffi. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Xyela middlekauffi
What is Xyela middlekauffi?
Xyela middlekauffi is a species in the family Xyelidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Xyela middlekauffi?
Females with ventral margin of the saw-like end of the abdomen straight, the sheath with the dorsal and ventral margins tapering throughout their entire length to an acute apex, the cross section of this sheath diamond-shaped, less than 2.6 mm, and this species is eastern in distribution (Burdick, 1961). Female background color yellow, wing veins pale brown, stigma pale translucent brown, wing membrane hyaline. Third segment of maxillary palpus longer than first antennal segment, as wide as third antennal segment (Burdick, 1961).
Where is Xyela middlekauffi found?
Range: QC-MD to UT-NM
What does Xyela middlekauffi eat?
The diet of the Xyela middlekauffi includes White pine ( Pinus strobus ).