Hymenoptera
Guides
Chrysocharis assis
Chrysocharis assis is a species of parasitoid wasp in the family Eulophidae, first described by Walker in 1839. It belongs to a genus of minute wasps known for their role as biological control agents of leaf-mining insects. The species has been documented in multiple Canadian provinces, suggesting a distribution across northern North America. Like other members of its genus, it likely parasitizes larvae of agromyzid leaf-mining flies, though specific host associations for this species require further documentation.
Chrysocharis nephereus
Chrysocharis nephereus is a minute parasitoid wasp in the family Eulophidae, first described by Walker in 1839. It has been studied in Northern England, where its biology was examined alongside allied species. The species is recorded across multiple Canadian provinces, suggesting a Holarctic distribution. As a member of Chrysocharis, it likely functions as a parasitoid of leaf-mining insects, though specific host associations for this species remain poorly documented.
Chrysocharis prodice
Chrysocharis prodice is a minute parasitoid wasp in the family Eulophidae, first described by Francis Walker in 1839. The genus Chrysocharis comprises species known as parasitoids of leaf-mining insects, particularly flies (Diptera: Agromyzidae). This species is recorded from multiple Canadian provinces, indicating a northern distribution pattern. Like other eulophids, it likely plays a role in regulating populations of herbivorous insects in forest and agricultural ecosystems.
Chrysopophthorus americanus
Chrysopophthorus americanus is a minute parasitoid wasp in the family Braconidae, described by Mason in 1964 from the United States. It belongs to a genus distributed across four continents, with species specialized as parasitoids of chrysopid larvae (green lacewings). The wasp has been observed at blacklight traps, where it likely seeks its lacewing hosts that are also attracted to ultraviolet light. Adults exhibit distinctive pale, almost ghostly coloration with striking emerald eyes.
Chrysops cincticornis
Ring-clawed Deer Fly
Chrysops cincticornis is a deer fly in the family Tabanidae, first described by Walker in 1848. It is commonly known as the Ring-clawed Deer Fly. The species has been documented in Vermont and other parts of the United States, with 291 observations recorded on iNaturalist. Research on this species has focused on its oviposition behavior and fecundity, with laboratory studies showing females deposit eggs in gelatinous masses on mud substrates near water, averaging 156 eggs per female.
deer-flyTabanidaeDipteramedical-entomologyovipositionfecundityring-clawed-deer-flyVermontUnited-Statesmud-substrategelatinous-egg-massChrysopsinaeChrysopsiniWalker-1848iNaturalistlaboratory-rearingegg-mass156-eggsrange-42-312near-watermud-like-substrateegg-depositionreproductionbehavioral-studymedical-entomology-researchinsect-vectorsbiting-fliestabanid-flieshorse-fliesdeer-fliesChrysopsNorth-AmericaNew-Englandobservation-recordssynonym-status-in-Catalogue-of-Lifeaccepted-status-in-GBIFarthropodinsectflyBrachyceraTabanomorphaHexapodaPterygotaAnimaliaArthropodaInsectacincticornisChrysops-cincticornis-Walker-1848Chrysops-(Chrysops)-cincticornisdeerflyhorseflytabanidbiting-flyvectoroviposition-behaviorfecundity-studyJournal-of-Medical-Entomology198210.1093/jmedent/19.5.597gelatinous-secretionmudwaterlaboratory-conditionsmean-fecundityegg-productionreproductive-biologyentomologyinsect-behaviorinsect-reproductiondipterantrue-flytwo-winged-flynematoceranCyclorrhaphaAschizaSchizophoraAcalyptrataeCalyptrataeOestroideaMuscoideaHippoboscoideaGlossinidaeCalliphoridaeSarcophagidaeMuscidaeFanniidaeAnthomyiidaeScathophagidaeOestridaeTachinidaeSiphonapteraPhthirapteraHemipteraColeopteraLepidopteraHymenopteraNeuropteraMegalopteraRaphidiopteraTrichopteraStrepsipteraMecopteraDipluraProturaCollembolaZygentomaArchaeognathaEphemeropteraOdonataPlecopteraGrylloblattodeaMantophasmatodeaPhasmatodeaOrthopteraDermapteraEmbiopteraZorapteraIsopteraBlattodeaMantodeaPhyllodocidaNotopteraWalker1848speciestaxongelatinoushabitatdistributionGBIFCatalogue-of-LifeNCBIlaboratory-studybehaviorlife-cyclesubstratemud-likemeanrange42-312femaleobservationrecordspecimencollectionmuseumresearchstudyarticleabstractDOIbiologyecologyhorse-flyacceptedsynonymtaxonomyclassificationUS291-observationslaboratory291-iNaturalist-observationsGBIF-distribution-recordsaccepted-species-statussynonym-in-Catalogue-of-Life156-eggs-mean-fecundityrange-42-312-eggs1982-Journal-of-Medical-Entomology-publicationDOI-10.1093/jmedent/19.5.597entomology-researchdipteran-biologyChrysura pacifica
Chrysura pacifica is a species of cuckoo wasp in the family Chrysididae. Members of this genus are known as cleptoparasites of other bees and wasps, with females laying eggs in the nests of host species. The specific epithet "pacifica" suggests a western North American distribution, though detailed records are sparse. The species has been documented in at least three iNaturalist observations.
Chrysurissa densa
Chrysurissa densa is a species of cuckoo wasp in the family Chrysididae. It is known as a parasite of the nests of pollen wasps in the genus Pseudomasaris, specifically targeting the mud nests of Pseudomasaris vespoides. The species was first described by Cresson in 1865. Like other cuckoo wasps, females lay their eggs in the nests of host wasps, where their larvae consume the pollen and nectar provisions intended for the host's offspring.
Chyphotes attenuatus
Chyphotes attenuatus is a species of wasp in the family Chyphotidae, a small family of solitary wasps within the order Hymenoptera. The genus Chyphotes belongs to the suborder Apocrita, which includes the majority of Hymenoptera species. Members of Chyphotidae are generally poorly known and understudied compared to other wasp families. The species epithet 'attenuatus' suggests a slender or tapering body form, though specific morphological details for this species remain undocumented in readily available sources.
Chyphotes belfragei
Chyphotes belfragei is a species of wasp in the family Chyphotidae, a small group of solitary wasps sometimes referred to as 'bradynobaenid wasps' or 'velvet ants' due to their wingless females and ant-like appearance. The species was described by Blake in 1871. Chyphotidae wasps are characterized by reduced wing venation and a distinct body form that separates them from related families. Very little specific biological information has been published for this particular species.
Chyphotes cooki
Chyphotes cooki is a species of wasp in the family Chyphotidae, a group of small, solitary wasps within the order Hymenoptera. The genus Chyphotes is part of the Bradynobaenidae sensu lato, a lineage of aculeate wasps that are poorly studied and rarely encountered. Records of this species are extremely limited, with only two observations documented on iNaturalist. The biology and ecology of Chyphotes cooki remain largely unknown due to its rarity and the secretive habits typical of chyphotid wasps.
Chyphotes evansi
Chyphotes evansi is a species of wasp in the family Bradynobaenidae, a group of aculeate Hymenoptera. The genus Chyphotes is endemic to the New World, with species distributed primarily in arid and semi-arid regions of North and South America. Bradynobaenidae are solitary wasps, and like other members of this family, Chyphotes species are likely parasitoids or predators, though specific biological details for C. evansi remain poorly documented. The species was named in honor of the entomologist Howard E. Evans.
Chyphotes petiolatus
Chyphotes petiolatus is a species of wingless wasp in the family Chyphotidae, a small family of solitary parasitoid wasps allied to Bradynobaenidae. The genus Chyphotes comprises flightless, ant-like species found in arid regions of western North America. Chyphotes petiolatus is known from extremely limited material, with only a single observation recorded in iNaturalist. Members of this genus are poorly studied, with most information derived from scattered museum specimens rather than field biology.
Cidaphus australis
Cidaphus australis is a species of ichneumonid wasp described by Cushman in 1924 during his taxonomic review of North American Cidaphus. It belongs to the large family Ichneumonidae, a diverse group of parasitoid wasps. The species was distinguished from congeners C. paniscoides and C. occidentalis based on diagnostic morphological characters. As with most ichneumonids, it is presumed to be a parasitoid, though specific host relationships remain undocumented. The species is known from very few records, with only two observations documented in iNaturalist.
Cimbex
Elm sawflies, Birch sawflies, Almond leaf wasps
Cimbex is a genus of large, robust sawflies in the family Cimbicidae, distributed across North America, Europe, and Asia. Adults are among the largest sawflies, with body lengths reaching 20-25 mm, and are frequently mistaken for bees or wasps due to their plump appearance and yellow-and-black coloration. The genus includes notable species such as C. americanus (elm sawfly), C. femoratus (birch sawfly), and C. quadrimaculatus (almond leaf wasp), some of which are significant defoliators of trees. Larvae are caterpillar-like, with seven pairs of prolegs distinguishing them from lepidopteran caterpillars, and possess chemical defense glands. The genus has a fossil record extending from the Eocene to the Miocene.
Cimbex pacificus
Pacific Sawfly
Cimbex pacificus, the Pacific Sawfly, is a species of sawfly in the family Cimbicidae. As a member of the order Hymenoptera, it is related to wasps, bees, and ants. The species is part of the genus Cimbex, which contains some of the largest sawflies in North America. Limited observational data exists for this species, with records primarily from western North America.
Cirrhencyrtus
Cirrhencyrtus is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Encyrtidae, described by Timberlake in 1918. Species in this genus are known to parasitize mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), with documented associations with Ferrisia virgata and Dysmicoccus brevipes in southern Chiapas, Mexico. The genus is represented in major entomological collections, including the UCR Encyrtidae collection, which holds specimens of C. ehrhorni and C. diversicolor.
Cladius
Cladius is a genus of sawflies in the family Tenthredinidae, comprising approximately 17 described species. These insects are known primarily as pests of rose plants, with larvae that feed on leaf tissue causing skeletonization and defoliation. The genus includes notable species such as the Bristly Rose Slug (Cladius difformis) and the Bristley Rose Sawfly (Cladius pectinicornis), both of which cause significant damage to cultivated roses in gardens and horticultural settings.
Cleptes
cuckoo wasps, jewel wasps
Cleptes is a genus of cuckoo wasps comprising approximately 100 recognized species, making it the largest genus in the subfamily Cleptinae. Members are parasitoids of sawfly prepupae, exhibiting the characteristic brood parasitism of their family. The genus has been relatively well studied in Europe and North America, though Asian faunas remain poorly documented. A 2013 revision from China recognized seventeen species, nine of which were newly described.
Cleptes rufigaster
cuckoo wasp, jewel wasp
Cleptes rufigaster is a species of cuckoo wasp in the family Chrysididae. The genus Cleptes comprises parasitoid wasps known for their metallic coloration and distinctive nesting habits. Members of this genus are parasitoids of sawfly prepupae. The species was described from China as part of a 2013 revision that recognized seventeen Cleptes species from the country, nine of which were new to science.
Cleptes speciosus
Cleptes speciosus is a species of cuckoo wasp in the family Chrysididae, first described from China. The species is one of nine new species discovered during the first systematic revision of the genus Cleptes from China. Members of this genus are parasitoids of sawfly prepupae and exhibit the distinctive metallic coloration and conglobation behavior characteristic of cuckoo wasps.
Clistopyga atrata
Clistopyga atrata is a species of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae, described by Cushman in 1921. The genus Clistopyga belongs to a diverse group of parasitoid wasps whose biology remains poorly documented. Like other ichneumonids, this species likely functions as a parasitoid of other insects, though specific host records are not well established. The species is distinguished by its dark coloration, as suggested by the specific epithet 'atrata' meaning black.
Clitemnestra bipunctata
Clitemnestra bipunctata is a small sand wasp in the family Crabronidae, measuring approximately 5-6 millimeters in body length. The species was formerly classified under the genus Ochleroptera, but was merged into Clitemnestra by Bohart in 2000. It is widely distributed across North America and has been recorded from Cuba.
Clivinematini
Clivinematini is a tribe of ichneumon wasps within the subfamily Tryphoninae. Members of this tribe are parasitoid wasps that target sawfly larvae (Hymenoptera: Symphyta) as hosts. The tribe is characterized by specific morphological features of the ovipositor and associated structures that distinguish it from related tryphonine tribes. Clivinematini represents a relatively small and specialized lineage within the diverse Ichneumonidae.
Closterocerus
Closterocerus is a genus of minute parasitoid wasps in the family Eulophidae (Hymenoptera). Species within this genus are predominantly larval parasitoids of various insect hosts, including leafmining Lepidoptera, Chrysomelidae beetles, and gall-forming Eulophidae. Several species have been documented as effective biological control agents, particularly against invasive pests. The genus exhibits considerable diversity in host associations and geographic distribution across multiple continents.
Closterocerus damastes
Closterocerus damastes is a species of chalcid wasp in the family Eulophidae, first described by Francis Walker in 1847. It belongs to the subfamily Entedoninae, a group of small parasitoid wasps. The genus Closterocerus includes species that are primarily parasitoids of other insects. Distribution records indicate presence in Canada, specifically Ontario.
Closterocerus utahensis
Closterocerus utahensis is a species of parasitoid wasp in the family Eulophidae, first described by Crawford in 1912. The species epithet "utahensis" suggests a type locality or association with Utah, though published distribution records indicate occurrence across multiple U.S. states including Arizona, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, and Maryland. As a member of the genus Closterocerus, it belongs to a group of small chalcid wasps that are typically parasitoids of other insects, particularly gall-forming or leaf-mining insects. The species is documented in museum collections including the UCR Entomology Research Museum.
Coccobius fulvus
Coccobius fulvus is a species of parasitic wasp in the family Aphelinidae, first described by Compere and Annecke in 1961. It belongs to a genus of chalcidoid wasps that are primarily parasitoids of scale insects (Coccoidea). The species has been recorded from France, Japan, and the conterminous United States. Like other members of Aphelinidae, it likely plays a role in biological control of pest scale insects.
Coelichneumon azotus
Coelichneumon azotus is a species of ichneumon wasp described by Cresson in 1864. It belongs to the large family Ichneumonidae, which comprises parasitoid wasps that develop by feeding on other arthropods, usually insects or spiders. The genus Coelichneumon is part of the subfamily Ichneumoninae, a diverse group whose members are often characterized by their slender bodies and elongated ovipositors. As with most ichneumonids, the species is presumed to be a parasitoid, though specific host records for C. azotus remain poorly documented. The species has been recorded across multiple observations on iNaturalist, indicating it is encountered with some regularity by naturalists in North America.
Coelichneumon orpheus
Coelichneumon orpheus is a species of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae, first described by Cresson in 1864. It belongs to a large family of parasitoid wasps that are ecologically important as natural enemies of other insects. The genus Coelichneumon is part of the diverse ichneumonid fauna of North America.
Coelichneumon sassacus
Coelichneumon sassacus is a species of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae. It was described by Viereck in 1917. Very little published information exists on the biology or ecology of this specific species. The genus Coelichneumon belongs to a large group of parasitoid wasps, though species-level details remain poorly documented.
Coelinius
Coelinius is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Braconidae, first described by Nees in 1818. Members of this genus are koinobiont endoparasitoids, meaning they develop inside living hosts without immediately killing them. The genus is part of the diverse ichneumonoid wasp fauna and contributes to biological control of host populations. Records indicate presence in northern European regions.
Coelioxys aztecus
Coelioxys aztecus is a species of cuckoo bee in the family Megachilidae. As a member of the genus Coelioxys, this species is an obligate brood parasite (kleptoparasite) of other bees, primarily targeting leafcutter bees (Megachile). The species was described by Cresson in 1878 and occurs in Middle America. Like other Coelioxys, females possess a distinctive pointed abdomen adapted for inserting eggs into host nest cells.
Coelioxys dolichos
carpenter-mimic cuckoo leaf-cutter bee
Coelioxys dolichos is a species of kleptoparasitic bee in the family Megachilidae. It is known to parasitize nests of the leaf-cutter bee Megachile xylocopoides. The species occurs in North America.
Coelioxys germanus
Coelioxys germanus is a species of cuckoo leafcutting bee in the family Megachilidae. Like other members of the genus Coelioxys, it is a kleptoparasite that exploits the nests of host bees rather than constructing its own. The species was described by Cresson in 1878 and is known from North America.
Coelioxys obtusiventris
Coelioxys obtusiventris is a species of cuckoo bee in the family Megachilidae, first described by Crawford in 1914. Like other members of the genus Coelioxys, this species is a cleptoparasite that exploits the nests of leafcutter bees (Megachile spp.). The female lays her egg in the host's provisioned nest cell, and her larva kills the host egg or larva before consuming the stored pollen and nectar. This species occurs in North America and is one of approximately 50 species in the genus Coelioxys worldwide.
cleptoparasitecuckoo-beeleafcutter-bee-parasiteMegachilidaesolitary-beeNorth-Americabee-hotel-inhabitantHymenopteraApoideaCoelioxysMegachile-parasitenest-parasitepollinator-parasite1914-descriptionCrawfordendoparasitoidbee-biologynative-beewild-beegarden-beeartificial-nest-userbee-conservation-indicatorCoelioxys slossoni arenicola
Coelioxys slossoni arenicola is a subspecies of kleptoparasitic bee in the family Megachilidae, described by Crawford in 1914. Like other members of the genus Coelioxys, this subspecies is a brood parasite (cuckoo bee) that exploits the nest provisions of host bees rather than constructing its own nests. The subspecies epithet 'arenicola' suggests an association with sandy habitats. It occurs in Middle America and North America based on distribution records.
Coelioxys texanus
Coelioxys texanus is a species of cuckoo bee in the family Megachilidae, first described by Cresson in 1872. As a member of the genus Coelioxys, this species is a cleptoparasite that lays its eggs in the nests of other bees, primarily targeting leafcutter bees (Megachile species). The specific epithet "texanus" indicates a Texas association, likely reflecting the type locality or early collection records from that region. Like other Coelioxys species, females possess a pointed, conical abdomen adapted for inserting eggs into host nest cells.
Coleocentrus
Coleocentrus is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Ichneumonidae, established by Gravenhorst in 1829. The genus contains multiple described species distributed across northern Europe and North America. As ichneumonid wasps, members of this genus are presumed to be parasitoids of other insects, though specific host associations remain poorly documented in published literature.
Coleocentrus flavipes
Coleocentrus flavipes is a species of ichneumonid wasp described by Provancher in 1874. It belongs to the family Ichneumonidae, one of the largest families of wasps. The specific epithet "flavipes" (meaning "yellow-footed") likely refers to yellow coloration on the legs. As with other ichneumonid wasps, this species is presumed to be parasitoid, though specific host associations remain undocumented in available sources.
Coleocentrus harringtoni
Coleocentrus harringtoni is a species of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae, described by Cushman in 1920. Members of the genus Coleocentrus are parasitoid wasps, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented. The genus is characterized by distinctive morphological features related to its host-finding adaptations.
Coleocentrus occidentalis occidentalis
Coleocentrus occidentalis occidentalis is a subspecies of ichneumonid wasp in the genus Coleocentrus. Members of this genus are parasitoid wasps, and C. occidentalis as a species has been documented as a parasitoid of wood-boring beetle larvae. The subspecies designation indicates geographic differentiation within the western North American range of the species. Like other ichneumonids, this wasp likely possesses a long ovipositor adapted for reaching hosts concealed in wood.
Colletes compactus compactus
plasterer bee
Colletes compactus compactus is a subspecies of plasterer bee in the family Colletidae. As a member of the genus Colletes, it exhibits the characteristic behaviors of ground-nesting solitary bees that line their burrows with a cellophane-like glandular secretion. The subspecies is recorded from North America, with specific documentation from Vermont. Like other Colletes species, it is an early-spring pollinator that provisions subterranean brood cells with nectar and pollen.
Colletes longifacies
Long-faced Cellophane Bee
Colletes longifacies is a solitary bee species in the family Colletidae, endemic to Florida and one of only five Colletidae species restricted to that state. It occurs in North-Central Peninsular Florida and the Florida Panhandle. Like other members of its genus, it is a ground-nesting bee that lines its brood cells with a cellophane-like secretion, earning it the common name 'cellophane bee' or 'plasterer bee'.
Colletes phaceliae
phacelia cellophane bee
Colletes phaceliae is a solitary ground-nesting bee in the family Colletidae, commonly known as the phacelia cellophane bee. Like other members of the genus Colletes, females construct subterranean burrows and line brood cells with a cellophane-like secretion from the Dufour's gland, creating waterproof chambers for their larvae. The species is found in North America and is named for its association with phacelia flowers.
Colletes tectiventris
Hairy-tailed Cellophane Bee
Colletes tectiventris is a solitary ground-nesting bee in the family Colletidae, commonly known as the Hairy-tailed Cellophane Bee. Like other Colletes species, it constructs subterranean burrows lined with a cellophane-like secretion from the Dufour's gland. The species was described by Timberlake in 1951 and occurs in North America. Specific details about its biology remain poorly documented compared to better-studied congeners such as C. inaequalis and C. thoracicus.
Colobopsis papago
Colobopsis papago is a species of ant in the genus Colobopsis, family Formicidae. The species was first described by William S. Creighton in 1953. Like other members of the genus, it exhibits the characteristic morphological traits associated with the Colobopsis group, including specialized major workers with modified heads. The species is part of a genus known for diverse defensive strategies, though specific behavioral documentation for C. papago remains limited.
Colocistis castanea
Colocistis castanea is a species of wasp in the family Tiphiidae. The genus Colocistis belongs to a group of solitary wasps that are primarily parasitoids of scarab beetle larvae. Members of Tiphiidae are known for their specialized biology involving subterranean hosts, with females often possessing fossorial (digging) adaptations to access beetle grubs in soil. This species was described by Cresson in 1865.
Colotrechninae
Colotrechninae is a subfamily of chalcidoid wasps within the family Pteromalidae, established by Thomson in 1876. Members are small parasitoid wasps, part of the diverse Chalcidoidea superfamily that contains numerous species associated with other insects as hosts. The subfamily is relatively poorly documented in public literature compared to other pteromalid groups.
Colpa
Colpa is a genus of scoliid wasps comprising 24 recognized species distributed across six subgenera. Phylogenetic analysis has repositioned this genus from the tribe Campsomerini to a sister-group relationship with Scoliini, rendering Campsomerini non-monophyletic. This taxonomic revision has prompted proposals for either establishing a new tribe Colpini or transferring the genus to Scoliini. Species occur across multiple continents including North America, Africa, and Eurasia.
Colpa octomaculata hermione
Colpa octomaculata hermione is a subspecies of scoliid wasp, a group commonly known as mammoth wasps. The parent species Colpa octomaculata is native to North America. Scoliid wasps are large-bodied parasitoids whose larvae develop on scarabaeid beetle grubs. Recent phylogenetic research indicates the genus Colpa is sister to the tribe Scoliini, which renders the tribe Campsomerini non-monophyletic. This subspecies represents part of a taxonomic group that has historically lacked modern systematic treatment.