|
Keys to the Adults of Superfamilies of
Hymenoptera
(Email Contacts)
(Derived fr. Boucek, 1988;
Clausen, 1923; Crawford, 1909;
Gauld & Bolton, 1988;
Hill, 1923; Masner & Dessart, 1967;
Noyes & Valentine, 1989;
Riek, 1970 & Yoshimoto, 1984 by E. F. Legner)
In the
latter 20th Century many Superfamilies were grouped together into a single
Superfamily. While diagnostic keys
retained original groupings the present key
provides
family examples for those Superfamiles that were grouped into
a
single category. Please refer also to
the following for greater detail:
<Guide>, <Families>, <Principal Groups>
|
1a. Body without a marked constriction
between the 1st and 2nd
abdominal segments, resulting in abdomen being broadly joined to thorax);
long-winged, fore wing with an enclosed anal cell and/or rounded
projections on metanotum present; hind wing usually has at least 3 closed
cells ........... (SYMPHYTA) (Chalastogastra)--sawflies
& horntails <General Characteristics>
|
|
1b. Body with a constriction between the 1st and 2nd abdominal
segments, given the appearance of abdomen almost always being narrowly
joined to thorax (may be obscured
in some taxa, but these have no enclosed cells in the fore wing);
long-winged, short-winged or wingless, if long-winged then fore wing without
an enclosed anal cell; hind wing usually has 2 or less
closed basal cells; rounded projections on metanotum not present;
ovipositor not developed into a sting.
(APOCRITA--Parasitica) (Clistogastra, Petiolata)--
parasitic/predatory
|
|
1c. Same as previous (1b) except
that ovipositor not used for egg-laying but rather developed into a weapon for
injecting venom and used for hunting, defense and aggression (sting); eggs
emitted from apical gastral segments, at base of sting ..........
(APOCRITA--Aculeata) (Stinging Hymenoptera)
|
|
2b. Antennae inserted on anterior side of head well above mouth;
fore wing with enclosed anal cell distinct
|
|
3a. Fore wing with Rs branches; antennae
highly modified with 3rd
segment long and broad, followed by 9 or more slender
threadlike segments .......... Xyeloidea
|
|
3b. Fore wing with Rs unbranched; antennae various, never with
both the 3rd segment
long and broad and the remaining flagellar segments threadlike
|
|
4a. Fore tibia with either a single apical
spur, or with two spurs of unequal length, the shorter of which is almost
vestigial
|
|
4b. Fore tibia with two well developed, but
unequal apical spurs
|
|
5a. Rounded projections on metanotum absent;
abdomen terminally laterally compressed, anteriorly slightly constricted
between 1st and 2nd segments
......... Cephoidea
|
|
5b. Rounded projections on metanotum present; abdomen cylindrical
or depressed, not constricted anteriorly; antennae inserted under broad frontal
ridge below eyes, just above mouth; small insects (8-14 mm.
long) ............ Siricoidea
|
|
6a. Pronotum in dorsal view with hind margin
somewhat straight; fore wing with vein 2r-rs
present; labrum concealed; mid and
hind tibiae with preapical spurs and antennae with >18
segments ............ Megalodontoidea
|
|
6b. Pronotum in dorsal view with hind margin much bowed, or if
weakly bowed then fore wing with 2r-rs
absent; vein 2r-rs
otherwise present or absent; labrum exposed; mid and hind tibiae without
preapical spurs, or if such spurs are present, then antennae with fewer
than 10
segments; antennae othewise with 3-32
segments, often with 9 or less
........... Tenthredinoidea
|
|
7a. Segment 1 of abdomen
forming a node or scale, or first two segments nodiform, so segment 2 is fully
separated (both dorsally and ventrally) from segments 1 and 3
.......... Vespoidea
(part) <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
[formerly Formicoidea <Overview>]
|
|
7b. Segment 1 of
abdomen not scale-like, if rarely slightly nodiform then with segment 2 closely
lying close to segment 3
|
|
8a. Segment 1 of
abdomen inserted high up on propodeum so distance between propodeal socket
and insertion of hind coxa is ca. equal to or greater than distance between
socket and hind margin of metanotum
|
|
8b. Segment 1 of
abdomen inserted low down on propodeum so distance between propodeal socket
and insertion of hind coxa is very much less than distance between socket
and hind margin of metanotum
|
|
9a. Antennae with 14 or less segments;
fore wing with costal cell distinct, hind wings lack closed cells, venation
usually much reduced; abdomen attached high above hind coxae on thorax
............. Evanioidea
|
|
9b. Antennae with 18 or more
segments, usually filiform, unspecialized; fore wing with costal cell
indistinct or absent, veins C, Sc, R and Rs fused between wing base and
pterostigma; sternites of abdomen weakly sclerotized .......... Ichneumonoidea (part)
<Overview>
|
|
10a. Fully winged insects
|
|
10b. Short-winged or wingless insects
|
|
11a. Fore wing with one enclosed cell, or
without any enclosed cells; sternites of abdomen usually heavily
sclerotized; fore, mid & hind tarsi with 3 segments
|
|
11b. Fore wing with two or more cells clearly
delineated by veins
|
|
12a. Fore wing with membrane reticulate; hind
wing vestigial, with a forked apex; segments 1 and 2 of abdomen
cylindrical, slender, forming a 2-segmented
petiole (body length <1mm);
pronotum short, does not reach tegula; many meatallic species .......... Chalcidoidea
(part) <Overview>
|
|
12b. Fore wing membrane not reticulate; hind wing fully developed
though often very narrow, but never with a forked apex; abdomen with at
most first segment cylindrical and slender so that petiole, if present, has
1 segment
|
|
13a. Hind wing with a distinct stalk;
pronotum short, does not reach tegula; many metallic species ............ Chalcidoidea (part) <Overview>
|
|
13b. Hind wing not stalked
|
|
14a. Mesosoma (= propodeum + metathorax) with
pronotum not extending back to tegulae ; wings without enclosed cells;
pronotum short, does not reach tegula; many metallic species ........... Chalcidoidea (part) <Overview>
|
|
14b. Mesosoma with pronotum extending back to almost touch
tegulae; wings with or without closed cells
|
|
15a. Antennae inserted in center of face,
their sockets separated from the clypeus by more than 2X their
own diameter
|
|
15b. Antennae inserted on face close to clypeus, their sockets separated
from clypeus by ca. their own diameter or less
|
|
16a. Antennae not inserted on a promontory or
"shelf," those of female without a very elongated scape; fore
wing venation characteristic, with a rather large radial cell, that is either
open anteriorly, or the only enclosed cell in the wing; costal cell broad,
anteriorly open, posteriorly bordered by a vein from which arises a long
stub of Rs & M; stigma absent; filiform antennae with 1st
segment slightly smaller than 2nd, or
with 2nd
segment small and 1st and 3rd
segments smaller; abdomen compressed laterally ........... Cynipoidea (part)
<Overview> [ See Subfamilies]
|
|
16b. Antennae inserted on facial promontory or "shelf," those
of female geniculate, elbowed antennae, scape more than 3X as long
as wide; fore wing without venation, or with a single linear vein, without
a distinguishable radial cell, or if one is indicated then it is not
defined distally and costal cell is only enclosed cell; if present, vein
delineating costal cell posteriorly is without a stub of Rs & M; Fore
wings with no closed basal cell; hind wings lack closed cells; abdomen
attached near propodeum base, contiguous with or close to hind coxae; abdomen
cylindrical or almost so; no metallic forms ........... Proctotrupoidea (part) <Overview>
|
|
17a. Head distinctly prognathous; tergite 1 of
abdomen as long as following tergites, separated from sternite, posteriorly
overlapping tergite 2 ..... Chrysidoidea (= Bethyloidea)
(part) <Overview> (part)
|
|
17b. Head hypognathous; tergite 1 of
abdomen shorter than the following apparent tergite (which may be a
syntergite), or the two fused and tergite 1 visible as
a ridged anterior rim of the first apparent tergite; tergite 1 usually
fused with sternite to form a ring at anterior end of abdomen
|
|
18a. Wing venation greatly reduced; fore wing
with long vein along anterior margin, this vein distally with a curved
stigmal branch, sometimes with a large pterostigma; fore tibia with two
spurs ........... Ceraphronoidea (part)
<Overivew>
|
|
18b. Fore wing without any venation, or with a short vein that
does not reach to level of middle
of wing, or if with a long vein, then this is proximally separated
from anterior margin of wing, and its stigmal branch is almost straight;
pterostigma not present, hind wings lack closed cells; fore tibia with a
single spur; propodeum reaches to tegula; abdomen attached near propodeum
base, contiguous with or close to hind coxae, abdomen cylindrical or almost
so; elbowed antennae. .... Proctotrupoidea (part) <Overview>
|
|
19a. Tarsi with well developed membranous
pads; antennae with 26-27
segments; fore wing with 10 enclosed
cells .......... Trigonaloidea <Overview>
|
|
19b. Tarsi without membranous pads, or if vestiges present then
antennae with fewer than 14
segments; antennae otherwise with various numbers of segments, if more than
14 then
fore wing with 7 or fewer
enclosed cells; fore wing otherwise with 1-10 enclosed
cells
|
|
20a. Fore wing with costal cell indistinct or
absent, veins C, Sc, R. and Rs fused or contiguous from wing base to pterostigma;
hind wing without a distinct lobe at the base; antennae usually with 16 or more
segments (rarely with as few as 12), and
with a small small ringlike segments (= anelli) somewhat differentiated
from proximal end of 1st
flagellar segment ........... Ichneumonoidea (part)
<Overview>
|
|
20b. Fore wing with costal cell usually visible, though sometimes not
bordered anteriorly by a vein, rarely when costal cell is virtually
eliminated then a distinct lobe is present at the base of the hind wing;
this lobe otherwise present or absent; antennae with 10-15
segments, without small anelli differentiated from proximal end of 1st
flagellar segment (except in one taxon with a broad costal cell)
|
|
21a. Fore wing with costal cell open, not
delineated by a vein along anterior margin of wing; pterostigma absent;
abdomen laterally compressed ..... Cynipoidea (part)
<Overview> [ See Subfamilies]
|
|
21b. Fore wing with costal cell enclosed, bordered anteriorly by a
vein, or if this vein is rarely absent the pterostigma is present, or
costal cell is indistinct or absent; pterostigma otherwise present, or uncommonly,
absent; abdomen cylindrical or depressed
|
|
22a. First tergite of abdomen short, fused
with sternite to form a ring-like, highly sclerotized segment; second
tergite (or syntergite) longer than tergites 1 and 3+ combined;
spiracles not present at least on first and apparent second gastral
tergites; fore wing usually with 2 enclosed
cells (costal and radial), rarely with up to 3 more
enclosed cells (thus a max. of 5), no
closed basal cell .... Proctotrupoidea (part) <Overview>
|
|
22b. First tergite of abdomen quite long, not fused with sternite to
form short ring-like segment; second tergite not longer than tergites 1 and 3+
combined; first and second segments of abdomen with distinct spiracles
(though these may be positioned ventrally on laterotergite); fore wing
usually with 6 or more
enclosed cells, rarely with 2-5 and then
always with basal and subbasal cells enclosed, costal cell usually
enclosed, radial cell sometimes not enclosed
|
|
23a. Fore wing with radial cell either not indicated
or open distally, and without any complete cubital (submarginal) cells;
fore wings have at least 1 closed
basal cell; hind wing without enclosed cells ....... Chrysidoidea (= Bethyloidea)
(part) <Overview>
|
|
23b. Fore wing with an enclosed radial cell, and with at least one
enclosed cubital cell; hind wing generally with two or three enclosed cells
|
|
24a. Pronotum with upper hind corner widely
separated from tegulae, and lower down the side with a pronounced pronotal
lobe covering mesothoracic spiracle .......... Apoidea <Overview> &
Sphecoidea <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
|
|
24b. Pronotum with upper hind corner reaching to or close to
tegula, with or without a pronounced pronotal lobe ........... Vespoidea (part) <Overview>
|
|
25a. Antennae with 16 or more
segments, somewhat filiform, unspecialized; sternites of abdomen weakly
sclerotized, tending to dry with median longitudinal fold. ............. Ichneumonoidea (part)
<Overview>
|
|
25b. Antennae with 15 or fewer
segments, sometimes filiform and unspecialized, often geniculate with
elongated scape and clavate distal segments; sternites of abdomen heavily
sclerotized
|
|
26b. All tarsi with 4 or 5 segments
|
|
27a. Upper hind corner of pronotum separated
from tegula by a prepectus ............. Chalcidoidea (part) <Overview>
|
|
27b. Upper hind corner of pronotum somewhat touching tegula, or
with tegula absent
|
|
28a. First segment of abdomen somewhat
conical, not dorsally fused with tergite 2;
tergites 1 and 2 with
spiracles
|
|
28b. First segment of abdomen cylindrical or annular, or minute,
indistinct, fused dorsally with tergite 2;
tergites 1 and 2 without
spiracles
|
|
29b. Antennae with 11-13 segments
|
|
30a. Head prognathous and dorsoventrally
flattened; clypeus with a median ridge extending between antennae
............. Chrysidoidea (=Bethyloidea)
(part) <Overview> (part)
|
|
30b. Head hypognathous, not dorsoventrally flattened; clypeus lacking
a median ridge that extends between antennae ........... Vespoidea
(part) <Overview>
|
|
31a. Antennae never geniculate, the scape only
slightly longer than broad, and slightly shorter than first flagellar
segment; abdomen laterally compressed ............. Cynipoidea (part) <Overview> [ See Subfamilies]
|
|
31b. Female (the most commonly encountered short-winged or wingless
sex) with antennae geniculate, the scale elongated, at least twice the
length of the first flagellar segment; abdomen of both sexes cylindrical or
depressed
|
|
32b. Anterior tibia with one apical spur
|
|
33a. Antennal socket separated from clypeus
by its own diameter or less; first segment of abdomen with tergite and
sternite separate; tergite 8 without
spiracle; antennae with 12 or fewer
segments .......... Proctotrupoidea (part) <Overview>
|
|
33b. Antennal socket separated from clypeus by more than twice its
own diameter; first segment of abdomen with tergite and sternite fused;
tergite 8 with
spiracle; antennae almost always with 13 or more
segments
|
|
34a. Abdomen, particularly in females,
laterally compressed; antennae of female with 14 segments,
of male 13
segments; ovipositor concealed; head without shelf-like process; cerci
absent; ovipositor opening ventral ........ Cynipoidea (part)
<Overview> [See Subfamilies]
|
|
34b. Abdomen usually cylindrical; antennae with various numbers of
segments, if with 14 segments
in female or 13-segments
in male then ovipositor exposed or antennae attached to a shelf-like
process of the face; cerci present; ovipositor opening terminal
............. Proctotrupoidea (part) <Overview>
|
|
35a. Have fully developed functional wings
|
|
35b. Wingless or short-winged
|
|
36a. Pronotum posterodorsally usually
separated from mesonotal anterior margin by a somewhat well developed
groove; pronotum posterolaterally remote from the tegulae, and lower down
the side with a pronounced posterior lobe which covers the mesothoracic
spiracle; posteroventrally the pronotum closely coadapted to the anterior
mesopleural margin and reflexed mesally below, behind the fore coxae
|
|
36b. Pronotum posterodorsally contiguous with the mesonotal
anterior margin, lacking a groove; pronotum posterolaterally almost
reaching the tegulae with or without a distinct posterior lobe which covers
the mesothoracic spiracle; if pronotum posteroventrally closed coadapted to
the anterior mesopleural margin then it is not reflexed below
|
|
37a. Fore wing with a fold traversing 1m-cu
between 1st and 2nd discal
(= discoidal) cells, usually through a clear area (bulla), this fold
discrete from the radial fold in the submarginal (= cubital) cells. Basitarsi enlarged, those of hind legs
expanded and flattened in anterior view, wider than following segments and
usually only slightly narrower than hind tibiae. Body setae plumose (branched), or partly so; pronotal lobe
reaches or almost reaches tegula ........... Apoidea <Overview>
|
|
37b. Fore wing with a fold traversing the 2nd
abiscissa of M, between the second discal (discoidal) and 2nd or 3rd
submarginal (cubital) cells, usually through a clear area, this fold
linking with the radial fold in the submarginal (cubital) cells. Basitarsi not enlarged, those of hind
legs slender, not flattened in anterior view, usually much narrower than
the hind tibiae. Body setae simple
and unbranched all over; ;pronotal lobe does not reach tegula ....... Apoidea (= now absorbed Sphecoidea <Adults>
& <Juveniles>)
|
|
38a. Antennae distinctly geniculate, elbowed
between scape and funiculus. Body
with 1-2 reduced
separated node like or scale like segments between mesosoma (= propodeum +
metathorax) and abdomen (= dorsal hump or node) ....Vespoidea (part)
<Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
[formerly Formicoidea <Overview>] (part)
|
|
38b. Antennae not geniculate, not elbowed between scape and
funiculus. Body without separated
node like or scale like segments between mesosoma (= propodeum +
metathorax) and abdomen
|
|
39a. Fore wing usually with a complete closed
marginal (= radial) cell which is bounded by tubular veins, and with at
least one complete submarginal (cubital) cell; hind wing with 2-3 complete
cells
|
|
39b. Fore wing with marginal (radial) cells open, often with only
a stub of tubular vein arising from the stigma; without any complete
submarginal (cubital) cells; hind wing with much reduced venation, at most with
an open costal cell but without complete cells posterior to this although
up to 3 tubular
veins may be present
|
|
40a. Distal quarter or more of wing membranes
longitudinally grooved (striated), with a densely corrugated appearance;
fore wings usually have extensive venation; first discoidal cell shorter
than submedian cell; hind wings have at least 1 closed
basal cell; pronotum does not reach tegula ............. Scolioidea [ formerly Pompiloidea & now
in Vespoidea] ….. Scoliidae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
|
|
40b. Distal quarter or more of wing membranes plain, without a densely
corrugated appearance
|
|
41a. Mesopleuron with a straight diagonal
groove which traverses the mesopleural scrobe; eyes round or oval; antennae
filiform. ....... Scolioidea [ formerly Pompiloidea & now
in Vespoidea] ….. Scoliidae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
|
|
41b. Mesopleuron lacking a straight diagonal groove which
transverses the mesopleural scrobe
|
|
42a. Fore wing with an elongated and very
obvious discal (discoidal) cell, the wing like a fan from base to apex, and
folded longitudinally when at rest.
Glossa and paraglossa terminating in small clerotized pads; pronotum
touches tegula; eyes deeply notched or if round, then antennae clavate
........... Vespoidea <Overview>
|
|
42b. Fore wing lacking an elongated discal (discoidal) cell, the
wing not like a fan from base to apex, not folded longitudinally in
repose. Glossa and paraglossa
without apical sclerotized pads
|
|
43a. Tibiae of middle legs with a single
spur. Pretarsal claws 2-forked. mandibles elongated and crossing over
when closed, not simply overlapping ...... Vespoidea <Overview> (Eumenidae)
|
|
44a. Hind wing with a well developed claval
indentation marking the limits of the claval lobe, and with a very large
lobe at the wing base which is at least 1/2 the
length of the claval . Male subgenital
plate terminating in an upcurved spine.
Females with widely separated middle coxae and 2-forked
pretarsal claws ...... Tiphioidea [Now in Vespoidea] (Tiphiidae) (part)
<Overview> <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
|
|
44b. Hind wing without lobes or without a claval indentation
marking the limits of the claval lobe; in the latter the lobe at the wing
base small and less than 1/2 the
length of the claval area.
Subgenital plate of males lacking an upcurved spine. Females with contiguous middle coxae and
simple or dentate pretarsal claws
|
|
46a. Antennae with 10 segments
|
|
46b. Antennae with 12-13 segments
|
|
47b. Antennae not arising from a high anteriorly projecting
prominence on the head, the antennal insertions located close to the
posterior clypeal margin ............ Chrysidoidea (=
Bethyloidea) (part) <Overview> (Dryinidae) (part) <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
|
|
48a. Abdomen with 3-5 segments
visible. Body heavily sculptured
and brightly metallic ........ Chrysidoidea (=
Bethyloidea) (Chrysididae)
|
|
49a. Antennae distinctly geniculate, elbowed
between scape and funiculus. Body
with 1-2
conspicuously separated node like or scale like reduced segments between
mesosoma (= propodeum + metathorax) and abdomen (= dorsal hump or node; mesosoma
posterolaterally usually with metapleural gland swelling present
............ Vespoidea (part)
<Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
[formerly Formicoidea <Overview>] (part)
|
|
49b. Antennae not geniculate, not elbowed between scape and
funiculus. Body without separated
node like or scale like segments between mesosoma and abdomen; mesosoma
posterolaterally without metapleural gland swelling
|
|
50a. Antennae with 10 segments
|
|
50b. Antennae with 12-13 segments
|
|
51a. Antennal insertions widely separated from
clypeus and the antennae arising from a high anteriorly projecting
prominence on the head. Fore tarsus
terminating in a pair of small pretarsal claws, not chelate (females only)
............ Chrysidoidea (=Bethyloidea)
(part) <Overview> (Embolemidae) (females) <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
|
|
51b. Antennal insertions close to posterior margin of clypeus and the
antennae not arising from a high anteriorly projecting prominence on the
head. Fore tarsus in brachypterous
males with a pair of small pretarsal claws; fore tarsus of females
terminating in strong chelae composed of a large projecting 5th tarsal
segment which is opposed by a much enlarged single apical claw.... Chrysidoidea (= Bethyloidea)
(part) <Overview> (Dryinidae) (part) <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
|
|
52b. Head hypognathous and not dorsoventrally flattened; clypeus
lacking a median ridge extending between antennae
|
|
53a. Dorsal mesosoma (= propodeum +
metathorax) shaped like a box and lacking sutures or at most the
promesonotal forming the only transverse suture on the dorsum. Body heavily sculptured and densely
hairy. Pretarsal claws simple ............ Tiphioidea
[Now in Vespoidea] <Overview>] (Mutillidae) (females) <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>]
|
|
53b. Dorsal mesosoma elongated and not shaped like a box, with 3 deeply
impressed transverse sutures in broad depressions. Body smooth and unsculptured, not
densely hairy. Pretarsal claws
definitely 2-forked
..... Tiphioidea [Now in Vespoidea] <Overview>] (Tiphiidae) (part) <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
|
REFERENCES:
Boucek, Z.
1988. Australasian Chalcidoidea (Hymenoptera). A Biosystematic Revision of Genera of
Fourteen Families, with a
Reclassification of Species. C.A.B. International, Wallingford, England. 832 p.
Clausen, C. P.
1923. The biology of Schizaspidia tenuicornis Ashm., a
eucharid parasite of Camponotus.
Ann. Ent. Soc. Amer. 16: 195-217.
Crawford, J. C. 1909. A new family of parasitic Hymenoptera. Proc. Ent. Soc. Wash. 11: 63-4.
Gauld, I. & B. Bolton. 1988. The Hymenoptera. British Mus. Nat. Hist., Oxford Univ. Press. 332 p.
Hill, C. C.
1923. Platygaster vernalis Myers, an important parasite
of the Hessian fly. J. Agr. Res. 25: 31-42.
Masner & Dessart. 1967. La reclassification des categories taxonomiques superieures des
Ceraphronoidea (Hymenoptera). Bull. Inst. Sci. Nat. Belg. 43(2): 1-33.
Noyes, J. S. & E. W. Valentine. 1989. Chalcidoidea (Insecta: Hymenoptera)--
Introduction, and Review of Genera in Smaller Families. Fauna of New Zealand No. 18. DSIR Publ., Wellington, New Zealand. 58 p.
Riek, E. F.
1970. Hymenoptera (Wasps, bees, ants), p. 867-959. In: CSIRO, The Insects of Australia.
Mewlbourne Univ. Press. 1029 p.
Yoshimoto, C. M. 1984. The Insects and Arachnids of Canada, Part 12. The Families and Subfamilies of Canadian
Chalcidoid Wasps. Hymenoptera:
chalcidoidea. Biosys. Res. Ins. Res.
Br. Canada. Publ 1760. 149p.
|