Yelicones pilops
This record describes Yelicones pilops (species). Recorded family: Braconidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wings uniformly but lightly infuscated with dark veins, body with complex pattern of dark brown and ivory
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Ichneumonoidea
- Family
- Braconidae (Braconid Wasps)
- Subfamily
- Rogadinae
- Genus
- Yelicones
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
southeastern US (through MD, SC, VA); south to Ecuador & Peru
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Yelicones pilops Quicke & Kruft 1995
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Yelicones pilops. 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 Yelicones pilops (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jonathan Hoskins; Additional contributions by v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Yelicones pilops
What is Yelicones pilops?
Yelicones pilops is a species in the family Braconidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Yelicones pilops?
Wings uniformly but lightly infuscated with dark veins, body with complex pattern of dark brown and ivory
Where is Yelicones pilops found?
Range: southeastern US (through MD, SC, VA); south to Ecuador & Peru