Hymenoptera
Guides
Anthophora walshii
Walsh's anthophora
Anthophora walshii is a species of anthophorine bee in the family Apidae. It is found in North America. Males and females exhibit sexual dimorphism in size, with males generally larger than females. Males can reach up to 16 mm in length with an abdomen breadth of 6 mm, while females grow to approximately 14 mm in length with an abdomen breadth of 5 mm. The species is part of the diverse Anthophora genus, which includes many digger bee species.
Anthophorula nitens
Shining Mini-Digger
Anthophorula nitens is a small bee species in the family Apidae, tribe Exomalopsini, commonly known as the Shining Mini-Digger. It was first described by Cockerell in 1915 under the basionym Exomalopsis nitens. The species is native to North America and belongs to a genus of solitary bees that are typically associated with ground-nesting habits. Like other members of Exomalopsini, it likely exhibits specialized pollen-collecting structures and solitary reproductive behavior.
Antistrophus
An undescribed species in the genus Antistrophus, a group of cynipid gall wasps that induce distinctive galls on Asteraceae host plants. Members of this genus are typically monophagous, with each species associated with a single host plant species. The specific epithet reference to 'laciniatum' suggests association with Silphium laciniatum (compass plant), though this remains to be confirmed. The species has not been formally described in the scientific literature.
Antron
Antron is a genus of gall wasps in the family Cynipidae. These insects induce distinctive galls on oak trees (Quercus species), with the urchin gall induced by A. quercusechinus being particularly notable for its striking appearance. The genus belongs to the tribe Cynipini, which contains the majority of oak gall wasps. Species in this genus are specialized to specific oak hosts and gall locations.
Aoplus
Aoplus is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Ichneumonidae, first described by Tischbein in 1874. The genus contains species distributed across Europe and North America, with confirmed records from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. As ichneumonids, members of this genus are presumed to be parasitoids of other insects, though specific host associations remain largely undocumented in the provided sources.
Apechthis ontario
Apechthis ontario is a species of ichneumonid wasp first described by Cresson in 1870. The species belongs to a genus of parasitoid wasps within the family Ichneumonidae, one of the largest families of wasps. Distribution records indicate presence in western Canada, with specimens documented from Alberta and Manitoba. Like other members of its family, this species is presumed to be a parasitoid, though specific host relationships remain undocumented in the available literature.
Aphaenogaster tennesseensis
Tennessee Collared Ant, Tennessee Spine-waisted Ant
Aphaenogaster tennesseensis is a medium-sized ant species in the family Formicidae, commonly known as the Tennessee Collared Ant or Tennessee Spine-waisted Ant. It belongs to the genus Aphaenogaster, a diverse group of ants found primarily in temperate and subtropical regions. The species has been documented in the eastern United States, with records from Vermont and other states. Workers have been observed foraging on fungi and scavenging dead or injured insects.
Aphaenogaster umphreyi
Aphaenogaster umphreyi is a rarely collected ant species in the genus Aphaenogaster, described in 1998 from Florida. The species belongs to a genus predominantly consisting of ground-nesting species in eastern temperate forests. Like its congener A. mariae, it may exhibit arboreal nesting habits, though this has not been confirmed. The species remains poorly known due to limited collection records.
Aphanistes
Aphanistes is a genus of ichneumon wasps in the family Ichneumonidae, first described by Förster in 1869. These parasitoid wasps are poorly documented in public literature, with most records coming from taxonomic databases rather than ecological studies. The genus is currently accepted but lacks comprehensive species-level documentation.
Aphanogmus
Aphanogmus is a genus of minute ceraphronid wasps erected by Thomson in 1858. The genus contains at least 90 described species distributed worldwide. Species are primarily parasitoids of Ichneumonoidea and Cecidomyiidae, with some functioning as hyperparasitoids through bethylid wasps. Several species have been documented emerging from hosts used in commercial biological control programs, where they may disrupt pest management efforts.
Aphelinus mali
woolly aphid parasite
Aphelinus mali is a tiny parasitoid wasp in the family Aphelinidae that specializes in attacking the woolly apple aphid (Eriosoma lanigerum), a major pest of apple orchards worldwide. Native to the northeastern United States, it has been introduced to numerous apple-growing regions as a biological control agent since 1928. The wasp's life cycle is tightly coupled with its aphid host, with females laying eggs inside living aphids where larvae develop before emerging as adults. It is considered one of the earliest and most successful examples of classical biological control in agriculture.
Aphytis
Aphytis is a genus of minute chalcid wasps in the family Aphelinidae, comprising approximately 130 described species. These wasps are specialized ectoparasitoids of armored scale insects (Diaspididae), particularly attacking citrus and other economically important pests. Adults typically measure 2–3 mm in length and exhibit coloration ranging from black to yellow with transparent wings. The genus has been extensively studied for biological control applications, with species such as A. melinus mass-reared and released worldwide to manage scale infestations. The University of California, Riverside maintains a critical collection of Aphytis specimens, including type material for numerous species described by Rosen and DeBach.
Apopria coveri
Apopria coveri is a species of velvet ant (family Mutillidae), a group of solitary wasps known for their striking aposematic coloration and powerful sting. Females are wingless and resemble large, hairy ants, while males possess wings. The genus Apopria is part of the subfamily Sphaeropthalminae, which is primarily distributed in the New World. Like other mutillids, this species is likely parasitoid, with females seeking out ground-nesting hosts such as solitary bees or wasps to deposit their eggs.
Aporus
spider wasps
Aporus is a genus of small spider wasps in the family Pompilidae, containing approximately twelve described species. These wasps are specialized predators that hunt ground-dwelling spiders, particularly those occupying burrows. The genus is distributed across North America, Europe, and Asia. Adults are frequently observed visiting flowers for nectar.
Aporus concolor
Aporus concolor is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae. The genus Aporus is characterized by a streamlined thorax that slopes gradually toward the head, short legs relative to other spider wasps, and relatively short, thick antennae. Species-level information for A. concolor specifically is sparse in the available literature. Members of this genus are parasitoids that paralyze spiders and use the spider's own burrow as a nest, depositing a single egg on the immobilized host.
Aporus hirsutus
hirsute spider wasp
Aporus hirsutus is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, described by Banks in 1917. It belongs to a genus characterized by a streamlined thorax that slopes gradually toward the head, short legs relative to body size, and short, thick antennae. Members of the genus Aporus are known to parasitize trapdoor spiders and other mygalomorph spiders, with females utilizing the host's own burrow as a nest after paralyzing the spider with a sting.
Aproceros leucopoda
elm zigzag sawfly
Aproceros leucopoda, commonly known as the elm zigzag sawfly, is a small sawfly native to eastern Asia (China and Japan) that has become an invasive pest in Europe since 2003 and North America since 2020. The species derives its common name from the distinctive zigzag-shaped feeding pattern created by young larvae on elm leaves. Populations are entirely female and reproduce through thelytokous parthenogenesis, enabling rapid establishment from single individuals. The species can cause severe defoliation of elm trees and has recently been documented feeding on Japanese zelkova.
Aprosthema brunniventre
Aprosthema brunniventre is a species of sawfly in the family Argidae. Members of this genus are characterized by their distinctive morphology within the family. The species name 'brunniventre' refers to the brownish coloration of the abdomen. Like other Argidae, it belongs to a family of herbivorous sawflies whose larvae feed on various plant species.
Aprostocetus
Aprostocetus is a large genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Eulophidae, established by Westwood in 1833. With approximately 800 described species, it has a global distribution across all major zoogeographic regions. Species are primarily ectoparasitoids or endoparasitoids of insects inhabiting plant galls, including gall midges (Cecidomyiidae), gall wasps (Cynipoidea), and other hosts spanning Hemiptera, Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Blattodea, Orthoptera, and Neuroptera. Some species are phytophagous, inducing galls directly on plants. The genus is economically significant as a source of biological control agents for invasive pests.
Apterodryinus torvus
Apterodryinus torvus is a species of dryinid wasp in the family Dryinidae. Dryinid wasps are parasitoids, primarily known for attacking leafhoppers and planthoppers (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha). Species in the genus Apterodryinus are characterized by reduced or absent wings in females, an adaptation associated with their parasitoid lifestyle. The specific biology of A. torvus remains poorly documented in published literature.
Aptesini
Aptesini is a tribe of ichneumon wasps within the family Ichneumonidae, comprising 24 described genera. These are parasitoid wasps, though specific biological details for the tribe as a whole remain poorly documented in published literature. The tribe is part of the diverse and speciose subfamily Ichneumoninae.
Arachnophaga
Arachnophaga is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Eupelmidae. The genus has been documented infesting egg sacs of bolas spiders (genus Mastophora). As a member of Eupelmidae, it belongs to a family known for diverse parasitoid lifestyles targeting arthropod hosts.
Arachnophaga ferruginea
Arachnophaga ferruginea is a species of chalcid wasp in the family Eupelmidae, described by Gahan in 1943. The genus Arachnophaga comprises parasitoid wasps, with species known to attack spider eggs. The specific epithet 'ferruginea' refers to a rusty or iron-colored appearance. Distribution records indicate occurrence in Florida and Virginia, United States.
Arachnospila
spider wasps
Arachnospila is a genus of spider wasps (Pompilidae) with a predominantly Holarctic distribution. The genus contains approximately 50 described species organized into five subgenera: Acanthopompilus, Ammosphex, Anoplochares, Arachnospila, and Melanospila. Species occur in open habitats and at forest edges, with nests that may contain multiple cells. The genus has limited representation in montane habitats of the Neotropical and Afrotropical regions.
Arachnospila arcta
Arachnospila arcta is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, first described by Cresson in 1865. The species is currently treated as a synonym of Arachnospila arctus. Members of this genus are solitary wasps that provision nests with paralyzed spiders. The taxon has been documented in very few observations, suggesting it is either rare, undercollected, or primarily of historical taxonomic interest due to its synonym status.
Arge
Arge is a genus of sawflies in the family Argidae, subfamily Arginae. Members of this genus are distributed across the Northern Hemisphere, with records from Europe and North America. As with other argid sawflies, species in this genus are herbivorous and typically associated with various woody plants as larvae. The genus was established by Schrank in 1802 and remains taxonomically valid.
Arge abdominalis
Arge abdominalis is a species of sawfly in the family Argidae, order Hymenoptera. Sawflies in this genus are characterized by their distinctive antennae and herbivorous larval stages. The species epithet "abdominalis" suggests a notable abdominal feature, though specific morphological details for this species are not well documented in available sources. Like other argid sawflies, adults are likely short-lived and focused on reproduction, with larvae feeding on plant material.
Arge cerulea
Arge cerulea is a species of sawfly in the family Argidae. Members of the genus Arge are commonly known as birch sawflies or rose sawflies, though specific common names for A. cerulea are not well documented. The species is characterized by its blue or cerulean coloration, as indicated by its specific epithet. Sawflies in this family are herbivorous, with larvae typically feeding on various woody plants. Adults are often found on flowers or foliage of host plants.
Arge cyra
Arge cyra is a species of sawfly in the family Argidae, first described by Kirby in 1882. It is a member of the genus Arge, which comprises approximately 200 species of sawflies distributed primarily across the Northern Hemisphere. The species has been recorded across multiple Canadian provinces, suggesting a broad distribution in North America. Sawflies in this family are phytophagous, with larvae typically feeding externally on host plants.
Arge illuminata
Arge illuminata is a species of sawfly in the family Argidae. As with other members of the genus Arge, this species likely exhibits the characteristic elbowed antennae and compact body form typical of argid sawflies. The species has been documented in iNaturalist with limited observational records, indicating it is either rare, underreported, or restricted in distribution.
Arge ochropus
rose sawfly
Arge ochropus, commonly known as the rose sawfly, is a small sawfly species in the family Argidae. Adults measure 7–10 mm in length and are active primarily in spring. The species is native to the Palearctic region and has been introduced to northeastern North America. Larvae feed on rose leaves, causing skeletonization damage, while adults consume nectar and pollen from several flowering plants. The species produces two generations annually in temperate regions.
Arge onerosa
Arge onerosa is a species of sawfly in the family Argidae, described by MacGillivray in 1923. The species is recorded from several Canadian provinces and territories including British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, and the Northwest Territories. As a member of Argidae, it belongs to a family of sawflies characterized by antennae with three to six flagellomeres and larvae that typically feed on the leaves of woody plants.
Arge pectoralis
Birch Sawfly
Arge pectoralis, commonly known as the birch sawfly, is a species of argid sawfly in the family Argidae. It is present in North America, with distribution records from multiple Canadian provinces including Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and New Brunswick. As a member of the Argidae family, it belongs to a group of sawflies characterized by their distinctive biology and host plant associations.
Arge willi
Arge willi is a species of sawfly in the family Argidae, order Hymenoptera. As a member of the genus Arge, it belongs to a group commonly known as the bristly sawflies, characterized by their distinctive antennal structure and larval feeding habits on various woody plants. The species is documented through limited observations, with records indicating presence in specific geographic regions.
Argochrysis armilla
Argochrysis armilla is a cleptoparasitic wasp in the family Chrysididae that specializes in attacking ground-nesting sphecid wasps of the genus Ammophila, particularly A. dysmica. This species has evolved sophisticated behavioral adaptations to overcome the temporal and spatial defenses of its hosts, including visual location of digging hosts, spatial learning of nest locations, and surveillance of multiple nests during host absence. Its foraging strategy creates strong selective pressure on host nesting behavior, favoring delayed provisioning and dispersed nest placement. The species was described by Bohart in 1982 and remains poorly known from a natural history perspective beyond its host interactions.
Argochrysis inornata
Argochrysis inornata is a species of cuckoo wasp in the family Chrysididae. Members of the genus Argochrysis are kleptoparasites that target ground-nesting bees, particularly in the family Anthophoridae. The specific name "inornata" (Latin for "unadorned" or "plain") suggests relatively simple coloration compared to the metallic brilliance typical of many chrysidids.
Aridelus nigrithorax
Aridelus nigrithorax is a species of parasitoid wasp in the family Braconidae, first described by Muesebeck in 1936. As a member of the genus Aridelus, it belongs to a group of small wasps that are parasitoids of other insects. The species epithet 'nigrithorax' refers to a dark or black thorax. No specific biological or ecological information about this species has been documented in the provided sources.
Arotes
Arotes is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Ichneumonidae, first described by Gravenhorst in 1829. Species are distributed across Europe and the Americas. At least one species, Arotes decorus, has been documented as a parasitoid of the longhorn beetle Yakuhananomia bidentata. The genus comprises five described species.
Arotes decorus
Arotes decorus is a species of ichneumonid wasp in the family Ichneumonidae. It is known to be a parasitoid of two cerambycid beetle species: Xylotrechus colonus and Yakuhananomia bidentata. The species was described by Thomas Say in 1835 and is part of the diverse and species-rich Ichneumonidae family, which contains thousands of parasitoid wasp species.
Asaphes suspensus
Asaphes suspensus is a common aphid hyperparasitoid wasp (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) that attacks aphidiine primary parasitoids within mummified aphids. The species exhibits sophisticated host discrimination behavior, including self-discrimination that favors unparasitized hosts over self-parasitized ones, but notably lacks interspecific discrimination against competitors. It employs ovicidal behavior as a competitive strategy, physically destroying competitor eggs through distinctive concave puncture sites. This species has been recorded from multiple continents including Europe, South America, and North America.
Aspilota
Aspilota is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Braconidae, subfamily Alysiinae. The genus was established by Förster in 1863 and includes species distributed across the Holarctic and Neotropical regions. Recent taxonomic work has described new species from Denmark and Argentina, expanding the known geographic range of the genus. Aspilota is classified within the Alysiinae, a subfamily characterized by koinobiont endoparasitoid biology, though species-specific biological details for Aspilota remain poorly documented.
Athalia cornubiae
Stonecrop Tigress
Athalia cornubiae is a sawfly species described by Benson in 1931, commonly known as the Stonecrop Tigress. The species has been recorded in Europe (Belgium, Denmark) and North America (Canada, Ontario), suggesting either a natural transatlantic distribution or possible introduction. The common name implies an association with stonecrop plants (Crassula or Sedum), though specific host relationships require confirmation. As a member of the genus Athalia, it belongs to a group of sawflies whose larvae often feed on cruciferous or succulent plants.
Atomacera
mallow sawfly, hibiscus sawfly
Atomacera is a genus of sawflies in the family Argidae, commonly known as mallow sawflies or hibiscus sawflies. These insects are herbivorous members of the Hymenoptera, representing a primitive branch of the order that lacks the constricted waist typical of wasps, bees, and ants. The genus contains species that feed on plants in the mallow family (Malvaceae), including ornamental hibiscus, hollyhocks, and marsh-mallow. Despite their caterpillar-like appearance, sawfly larvae are distinct from Lepidoptera larvae in having more pairs of prolegs.
Atomacera decepta
Hibiscus Sawfly, Mallow Sawfly
The hibiscus sawfly (Atomacera decepta) is a herbivorous sawfly in the family Argidae that feeds primarily on members of the mallow family (Malvaceae). Despite its caterpillar-like larvae, it belongs to the Hymenoptera (bees, wasps, and ants) rather than Lepidoptera. The species is known for causing significant defoliation damage to ornamental hibiscus, hollyhocks, and marsh-mallow, though it has not developed a strong preference for economically important crops like cotton or okra.
Atractodes
Atractodes is a cosmopolitan genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Ichneumonidae, first described by Gravenhorst in 1829. The genus has been historically classified in different subfamilies, with some species groups placed in Phygadeuontinae and others in Cryptinae. Multiple species groups have been defined to accommodate morphologically similar species, particularly in the Neotropical region where recent taxonomic revisions have described numerous new species. The genus exhibits considerable diversity in the Americas, with records from North America, Central America, and South America, as well as Europe.
Atrusca aggregata
Atrusca aggregata is a species of cynipid gall wasp described by Weld in 1926. Like other members of the family Cynipidae, this tiny wasp induces the formation of characteristic galls on oak leaves. The genus Atrusca is known for producing colorful, detachable leaf galls on various Quercus species. Adult females emerge from galls and use their ovipositor to inject eggs into leaf tissues, initiating the next generation of galls.
Atrusca capronae
striped oak-apple gall wasp
Atrusca capronae, commonly called the striped oak-apple gall wasp, is a cynipid wasp species that induces characteristic galls on oak leaves in southwestern North America. The species is most frequently observed in Arizona but occurs throughout the region where its host plants grow. The wasp's common name derives from the striped appearance of the galls it produces, though stripe intensity varies geographically. The species is considered fairly common within its range.
Atrusca carolina
Atrusca carolina is a species of gall wasp in the family Cynipidae. Like other members of the genus Atrusca, this species induces galls on oak leaves. The genus is known for producing colorful and structurally distinctive galls on Quercus species. Specific details about A. carolina's biology, host associations, and distribution remain poorly documented in available literature.
Atrusca cubitalis
Atrusca cubitalis is a species of cynipid gall wasp, a group of tiny wasps known for inducing characteristic plant galls on their host plants. As a member of the family Cynipidae, this species exemplifies the highly specialized host relationships typical of gall wasps, where each species typically induces a distinct gall type on a specific host plant or closely related group of plants. The genus Atrusca is known for producing colorful and structurally distinctive galls on oak leaves (Quercus spp.), with A. cubitalis specifically associated with post oak (Quercus stellata) based on related species observations. The life cycle involves the female wasp using her ovipositor to inject eggs into leaf tissue, after which the developing larvae secrete plant growth hormones that cause the formation of a specialized gall structure within which they feed and develop.
Atrusca trimaculosa
Woollybear Gall Wasp
Atrusca trimaculosa, commonly known as the woollybear gall wasp, is a cynipid gall wasp that induces distinctive round, hairy galls on oak leaves. The galls are 3–4 mm wide, covered in stiff hairs, and typically clustered on leaf surfaces. Only females of this species are known, suggesting reproduction may occur through parthenogenesis. The species is associated with several oak species including valley oak, blue oak, and Oregon oak.