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Major Families of Adult Chalcidoidea

 

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       This is a large Superfamily of important insects that have been deployed successfully in biological control worldwide.  Specialists generally agree to being aware of only a fraction of those still awaiting discovery.  Their taxonomy is often difficult as the characters used may show wide variation.  Most species are small or very tiny, some being less than 0.4 mm in long.  Chalcids occur almost everywhere, but because of their small size they are usually overlooked.  Adults occur mainly on flowers and plant foliage.  Most species are parasitoids of other insects, attacking the egg or larval stage of their hosts. Predominant hosts are Lepidoptera, Diptera, Coleoptera, and Homoptera.  Because these host groups contain many agricultural pests, it is obvious that the chalcids are a valuable group for natural control. Many species have been imported into different countries for biological control.  The larvae of few species are phytophagous.

 

Generalized drawings of Chalcidoidea morphology by Noyes & Valentine (1989) are

Presented in Figs.A-G.

 

For greater detail on specific geographic areas also refer to <Regional Keys>

 

[A will display all images for both pairs of a couplet]

 

Chalcidoidea <Overview>; <General References>

 

249

248a (123b).    Hind femur enlarged, with ventral teeth, either a few large or many small ones (saw-like) (Fig.A); hind tibia not quite equal to femur and arched; specimens usually 5-15 mm, broad bodied, rarely <1-2 mm ........ A.

 

253

248b.    Hind femur not enlarged, ventral teeth, if present, 2 or less, or ventral edge serrated  (Fig. A); hindtibia straight (rarely half length of femur); specimens usually 1-10 mm.,  robust  to fragile

 

250

249a (248a).   Prepectus reduced or fused (Fig.A), not readily apparent, of if so, not triangular in outline (Fig.A).... A

 

252

249b.    Prepectus in the form of a triangular plate (Fig.A)

 

251

250a (249a).    Ovipositor directed horizontally [in most species not extended beyond tip of abdomen]; tegula almost an oval disc; fore wing not folded longitudinally; posterior gena with distinct ridge; body often large but not usually metallic (Figs.A-D) ...... A ..... Chalcididae     <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>

 

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250b.    Ovipositor curved upwards over abdomen (Fig.A); male abdomen covered by pitted hard  covering of fused dorsal plates (Fig.A ); tegula narrowly extended forward, ladel-like; fore wing often folded longitudinally; body large, wasp-like, with fore wing longitudinally folded as in Vespidae, frequently with black and yellow pattern (Figs.B-D) ....... Leucospidae   <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>

 

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251a ( 251a).    Frons projects as 2 "horns" (surrounding antennae) in dorsal view (Fig.A); petiole on abdomen, not long but with distinct dorsal ridges; ventral edge of hind femur with smoothly arched comb of minute teeth (Figs.B-C)...... A .......   Chalcididae  (generalized) (Dirhininae)   <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>  [also see fly-par.htm ]

 

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251b.    Frons not modified as "horns," mostly flat in dorsal view (Fig.A); hind tibia almost perpendicularly squared at tip; 2 hind tibial spurs ...…....  Chalcididae   (Haltichellinae)   <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>

 

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251c.    Frons not modified as "horns," mostly flat in dorsal view; hind tibia obliquely squared at tip (Fig.A); either 1hind tibial spur or spur not apparent; abdominal petiole eitherconcealed or much  shorter than 1/2 length of abdomen and not striated longitudinally ............ Chalcididae  (Chalcidinae)   <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>

 

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252a (249b).    Eyes diverge ventrally; antennae inserted low on face; ovipositor not protrudin  (Figs.A-B).........=A .........Pteromalidae (Chalcedectini: Cleonyminae)  (part)  <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>   [also see [also see 294]  

 

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252b.    Eyes nearly parallel; antennae inserted near middle of face; ovipositor protruding  (Figs.A-C) ....... Torymidae  (generalized)  (Podagrionini: Monodontomerinae)  (part)   <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>

 

254

253a (248b).    Antennae with 5-7 segments between pedicel and club; tarsi usually with 5 segments (if with 4, then males of Tetracampidae, or tiny specimens with long antennae  and characteristic wings, (see Mymaridae illustrations) (Fig.A).......... A ......   <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>

 

287

253b.    Antennae with 0-4 segments between pedicel and club; tarsi with 3, 4, or 5 segments  (Fig.A); or specimens 0.2-1 or 2 mm. long and such characters hard to see (many tiny fragile specimens)

 

256

254a (253a).    Hind wing without stalk, expanded as shown; forewing venation ends beyond basal 1/3rd (postmarginal present, stigmal elongated to sessile) (Fig.A); specimens usually >2 mm ......... A

 

255

254b.    Hind wing stalked and elongated (rarely reduced to only a short stub, hooked at tip); fore wing venation linear, ending in basal 1/3rd (postmarginal vein absent, stigmal rudimentary), or seemingly absent; specimens usually <2 mm

 

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255a (254b).    Abdominal petiole with distinct 2 segments and very thin; fore wing reticulate (= net-like); both fore and hind wings narrow at base into a linear stalk (Fig.A); mandibles with teeth exodont (extended outwards); antennal sockets closer to eyes than to each other (rare in North American collections) .......... A ......... Mymerommatidae   (= Callimomidae) <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>

 

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255b.    Abdominal petiole with 1 segment or none; fore wing membrane smooth, hind wing membrane not reaching base, but reduced to a linear stalk formed by submarginal vein (Fig.A); frons with H-shaped impressed lines (Fig.A ); antennal sockets much closer to  eyes than to each other; egg parasites (common in North American collections) .... (Figs.B-H). ... Mymaridae   <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>

 

257

256a (254a).    Mesopleuron concave; midtibial spur thin and like a spine (Fig.A) ........ A

 

283

256b.    Mesopleuron convex (bulging); midtibial spur relatively thick (Fig.A)

 

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257a (256a).    Head projects forward, female mandible with rasplike appendage; female scape always distinctly widened but irregular in shape (Fig.A), 3rd antennal segment not ring-like but extended mesodorsally into a thick spine (Fig.A); eyes very small or vestigial, celli mostly absent; at least hind tibia shorter than femur; male wingless (much modified) or short-winged, wing stumps often as short filaments, rarely with narrow wing blade; body yellowish to dark brown or black, with shortened spiny tibiae, tarsal segments often very reduced; not parasitic and collected from fig fruits (Figs.B-F) ...... A ...... Agaonidae   <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>

 

258

257b.    Head projects downward,female without appendage on mandible; hind tibia at least as long as femur, usually longer; male similar to female (Fig.A)

 

260

258a (257b).    Antennal insertion definitely more than one socket diameter above free margin of clypeus; if doubtful, then either eyes diverge ventrally or side of head ("cheeks") ridged (carinate) ...... A ...… (Fig.A)

 

259

258b.    Antennal insertion less than one socket diameter above free margin of clypeus; if doubtful, side of head without ridges  ....... (Fig.A)

 

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259a (258b).    Antennae arise at side and below free margin of clypeus; thorax with some distinct pits or wrinkles, often also head; scutellum without sublateral lines but often with pitted frenal line (Fig.A ); fore wing membrane flat, pubescent, without a tuft of scales; frons with median pitted groove; abdominal petiole longer than wide; body black or slightly metallic (Figs.B-D) (common in North American collections)......A... Pteromalidae  (Spalangiinae) ....   <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>   [also see 294 and fly-par.htm ]

 

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259b.    Antennae arise slightly above free margin of clypeus; abdominal petiole not visible (Fig. A) (rare in North American collections) ........ Pteromalidae  (Ceinae)  <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>  [also see Asaphinae & Eunotinae].

 

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260a (258a).    Fore wing stigma enlarged (Fig.A), longer than stigmal vein, and projects toward hind margin of wing; ovipositor sheaths always protruding; antennae with 7 funicle segments; thorax with rather sparse and usually outstanding conspicuous hairs, always without short hairs; body often somewhat yellow and rarely metallic (Figs.B-C)  ....... .A ........ Torymidae  (Megastigminae)   <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>

 

261

260b.    Fore wing stigma not enlarged, shorter than stigmal vein (stigma at times surrounded by pigmented tainlike area); ovipositor and antenna variable (Fig.A)

 

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261a (260b).    Scutellum with submedian grooves that meet prescutal sutures and outline a median rectangular area (ra) or stigmal vein long and almost at right angle to marginal vein (Figs.A-B) (rare in collections from fig fruits in Florida .... .A ..... Torymidae  (Sycophaginae)   <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>

 

262

261b.    Scutellum without submedian grooves, prescutal sutures separated from scutellum by axilla (= triangular or rounded sclerite on side of scutellum and mostly just back of the base of front wing); either stigmal vein ling and angled off of marginal vein or short  (Fig.A) (common & widespread in North America)

 

263

262a (261b).    Hind coxa much longer and wider than forecoxa by 2-3 times; if doubtful, then prescutal sutures absent or weak and female with protruding ovipositor (Fig.A ........... A.

 

265

262b.    Hind coxa nearly same size as fore coxa; if doubtful, then prescutal sutures well  developed and female ovipositor not protruding (Fig.A)

 

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263a (262a).    Ovipositor at least a little protruding; both sexes: abdomen without pits; propodeum postero-laterally angled and does not project over hind coxa (dorsal view); cerci of last dorsal plate elongated or 4-sided and with long setae (not as apparent in male as female); pronotum mostly long, often almost conical; prepectus almost equal to tegula; hind tibial spurs thin; male abdomen collapsed or convex, in latter case at least as high as broad, without lateral edge  (Figs.A-E)  ....... A....... Torymidae ......   <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>   (Subfamilies: … 264)

 

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263b.    Ovipositor not protruding; both sexes:  pronotum relatively short; abdomen with pits and always heavily sclerotized; propodeum postero-laterally rounded and projects over hind  coxa (dorsal view); cerci of last dorsal plate reduced to low plates (like a disk); prepectus  much smaller than tegula; hind tibial spurs thickened (Figs.A-B) ........... Ormyridae   <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>

 

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264a (263a).    Metapleuron with straight anterior margin; stigmal vein much shorter than breadth of coastal cell, stigma at most only slightly knobbed (Fig.A ); head and thorax always metallic or slightly so in Australian species; hairs on thorax usually dense and short ........ A ........ Torymidae  (Monodontomerinae)    <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>  

 

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264b.    Metapleuron with anterior margin angled or protruding forward (Fig.A ), so that metapleuron forms a distinct lobe; antennae of Australian species always with 1 anellus (ring segment) and 7 funicular segments (Fig.B) ...... Torymidae  (Toryminae)   <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>

 

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265a (262b).    Pronotum rectangular in dorsal view, about as wide as scutum, sides parallel and flat laterally;  body black, yellow, or mixed black & yellow, but rarely faintly metallic; thorax mostly with coarse hairy pits; abdomen usually oval in crossview and compressed laterally (Figs.A-D) ........ A ..... Eurytomidae    <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>   (Subfamilies:   266)

 

268

265b.    Pronotum in dorsal view narrowed to a transverse (= at right angles to longitudinal axis) strip, or not visible (if elongated, then narrower at base than apex and sides concave to accomodate front femora (rare, some Cleonyminae); body often metallic blue or green, rarely black; abdomen usually keel-shaped (triangular in cross view) and somewhat compressed dorsally (Fig.A)

 

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266a (265a).    Prepectus (p) as large or larger than tegula; antennae at most with 12 segments (Fig.A ), with only 1 ring segment and this often almost fused with first funicular   A   segment; apical segments mostly fused into a club (Fig.B) ........ Eurytomidae   <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>   (Eurytominae)

 

267

266b.    Prepectus smaller than tegula (Fig.A)

 

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267a (266b).    Scutellum with projection; tegula sculptured (Fig.A). .....A. ......  Eurytomidae   (Heimbrinae)   <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>

 

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267b.    Scutellum without projection; tegula smooth; antennae with 13 segments (Fig.A), the segments after pedicel either not differentiated or proximal 3 segments of flagellum  shortened and then almost anelliform (= ring-like)........ Eurytomidae   (Rileyinae)   <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>

 

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268a (265b).    Pronotum not visible in dorsal view, covered by distinctly arched scutum; sculpture on thorax often coarse; abdomen like a rudder, on long petiole; marginal vein usually very long, but sometimes poorly defined; mandibles often sickle-shaped, narrow (Fig.A ); marginal vein unusually long in some species (Figs.B-E) ... Eucharitidae ... A ….    <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>   (Subfamilies:   269)

 

270

268b.    Pronotum visible in dorsal view, scutum not heavily arched; abdomen usually elongated and petiole usually not visible.... (petiolate forms occur) (Fig.A)

 

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269a (268a).    Prepectus fused to pronotum (Figs.A-B) .... A ....... Eucharitidae    <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>   (Eucharitinae)

 

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269b.    Prepectus not fused to pronotum (Fig.A) .......... Eucharitidae     <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>    (Oraseminae)

 

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270a (268b).    Abdomen covered by first two dorsal plates (or seemingly covered by single plate); prepectus often fused with side panel of pronotum (Fig.A), if prepectus clearly separated than face with discernible supraclypeal area and strong mandibles only 2-toothed (Fig.A); prescutal sutures always complete; body short and squat; head with well defined  clypeus and at least 1 mandible with 2 teeth; body metallic to black, thorax mostly with coarse hairy pits (Figs.B-C) ...... A .….......... Perilampidae     <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>   (Subfamilies:…..   271)

 

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270b.    Abdomen with 3 or more readily visible dorsal plates; body usually elongated; head variable but usually with inconspicuous clypeus and small mandibles with 3-4 teeth; either prescutal sutures incomplete or antenna with 13 segments (Figs.A-B) .......... Pteromalidae ... (Subfamilies:   272 & 294)

 

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271a (270a).    Prepectus not fused to pronotum; suture clearly visible (Fig.A)..... A ..... Perilampidae   <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>  (Chrysolampinae)

 

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271b.    Prepectus fused to pronotum (suture absent or barely visible) (Figs.A-D) ............. Perilampidae   (Perilampinae)

 

273

272a (270b) Axillae (ax) advanced far forward of scutellum or cuts a distinct angle into side lobe of scutum  (Fig.A) ......... A

\

275

272b.    Axillae not extended forward of scutellum, or if slightly advanced, does not cut a distinct angle into side lobe of scutum .... (Fig.A)

 

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273a (  273a (272a).    Axillae enlarged, nearly meeting medially; body covered with white, scale-like setae (Fig.A) .... A  ..... Pteromalidae   (Eutrichosomatinae)   <Habits>; <Adults> <Juveniles>

 

274

273b.    Axillae not enlarged, not close medially; body without white, scale-like setae (Fig.A)

 

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274a (273b).    Scutellum posterior without triangular "projection" and with parallel dorsal grooves; ovipositor often protruding (Fig.A) ......  A .... Pteromalidae    (Colotrechninae) .   <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>   ...... [also see 294]

 

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274b.    Scutellum posterior with triangular "projection" (is part of metanotum) and without apparent dorsal grooves; scapula extends backwards outside the rectangular outer corner of axilla, axilla 2X as long as broad; mid tarsus with 4 segments, unusually long (Fig.A), first segment as long as rest; prepectus unusually small  Pteromalidae    (Macromesinae)   <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>    ....... [also see 294]

 

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275a (272b).    Head in dorsal view with posterior ocelli touching sharp occipital (= dorsal posterior) edge, gena usually posteriorly ridged; clypeal margin not extended; thorax   A  hariness mostly replaced by sparce bristles (Figs.A-C) ….....  Pteromalidae    (Eunotinae)   <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>   .... [also see 294]

 

276

275b.    Head in dorsal view with posterior ocelli distant from rounded occipital margin; if doubtful, then head with  curved black spines (Fig.A)

 

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276a (275b).    Head with projection between antennae, visible both from above and side (antennae not shown) (Fig.A); body and antennae shiny, latter usually always without anelli (= ring segments); wings, if not reduced, without conspicuous hariness but with fine long marginal fringe, sometimes with a tuft at stigma; marginal vein usually long, but postmarginal and stigmal veins short; body yellowish to blackish, rarely metallic. ......... .A .....  Pteromalidae  (Cerocephalinae)    <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>  ....   [also see 294]

 

277

276b.    Head without interantennal projection (Fig.A) ...,,,,... A

 

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277a (276b).    Head and thorax dorsally with black, curved spines; antennae with 13 segments; hind coxae with fine longitudinal ridges and inserted unusually high (Fig.A), its outer face often with longitudinal sculpture; short-winged or wingless females common ......... A ......... Pteromalidae    (Diparinae)   <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>    .... [also see 294]

 

278

277b.    Head and thorax may have setae, but not black spines; hind coxae sculptured or smooth, without longitudinal ridges ........... (Fig.A)

 

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278a (277b).    Body typically elongated (1-2 cm.); head with ridged, raised areas (crests) between eye and scrobal basin; pronotum in dorsal view about 2X as long as broad, also petiole, legs and wings unusually long and slender (Fig.A); ovipositor protrudes, long;  antennae with 13 segments without ring segments; very rare in NorthAmerica)........A. .......  Pteromalidae     (Leptofoeninae)   <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>    .... [also see 294]

 

279

278b.    Body less elongated (usually less than 1 cm.); head without ridged, raised area between eye and scrobal basin (Fig.A) (commonly collected in North America) .......... A

 

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279a (278b).    Eyes divergent ventrally, parallel dorsally; pronotum often, though not always, longer than wide, dorsally rounded and medially often with smooth strip or raised longitudinal line; thorax usually pitted (Figs.A-C) ........ A .......  Pteromalidae    (Cleonyminae)  <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>   .... [also see 294]

 

280

279b.    Eye margins mostly parallel; pronotum always wider than long (Fig.A)

 

281

280a (279b).    Either eyes, head, and thorax densely covered with setae, or scutellum largely  A ........ .polished and with only 2 pairs of bristles (rare in North American collections) (Fig.A)

 

282

280b.    Eyes not densely covered with setae, head and thorax occasionally so; scutellum rarely with paired bristles, but if so there are 3 or more pairs and they are inconspicuous (Fig.A)

 

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281a (280a).    Eyes, head and thorax densely covered with setae; first dorsal plate without distinct longitudinal grooves; head including large eyes, thorax dorsally and wings regularly densely hairy, never with  paired bristles (Fig.A); postmarginal vein much longer than stigmal. ........ A ..........  Pteromalidae   (Herbertinae)   <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>    .... [also see 294]

 

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281b.    Eyes not covered with setae; scutellum largely polished and with 2 pairs of prominent bristles; male antennae with 6 conspicuous segments between pedicel and club (Fig.A), rarely 5 (Fig.A); marginal vein at least 4X as long as stigmal vein (Fig.A), fore wing mostly very densely hairy, including basal 1/3rd; in females antenna with 6 distinct funicular segments and sometimes with 1 ring-like segment (Fig.A); female propodeum often very hairy (Figs.A-C) ............ Tetracampidae        <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>

 

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282a (280b).    Sides of head ("cheeks") laterally ridged, temple absent (Fig.A), gena posteriorly produced into a lamina; antenna clubbed, all preclub segments of flagellum at right angles to longitudinal axis; scutellum anteriorly with 2 deep pits; second dorsal plate of petiolate abdomen very large, covering most of dorsum, dorsally somewhat fused with the 1st dorsal plate. ..... A ........  Pteromalidae    (Asaphinae)   <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>   .... [also see 294]

 

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282b.    Sides of head rounded laterally; notauli (= longitudinal sutures of the mesonotum separating the median area from the lateral area) incomplete and wide apart; marginal vein widened in basal part (Fig.A); clypeal margin often with deep incision and asymmetric teeth; dorsum of thorax reticulate, almost bare, without bristles (Fig.B) ..... Pteromalidae    (Pteromalinae / Miscogasterinae)   <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>    .......... .[also see 294]

 

284

283a (256b).    Cercus at tip of abdomen; fore and midcoxae separated (midcoxa posterior to midpoint of mesopleuron); axillae (ax) do not meet medially (if so, at least as long as wide); marginal vein longer than stigmal or postmarginal (Fig.A) ......... A

 

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283b.    Cercus anterior to tip of abdomen; fore & mid coxae nearly touching (mid coxa anterior to middle of mesopleuron) (Fig.A); flagellum with at most 9 segments (occasionally one very small ring-like segment); axillae transverse (= at right angle with longitudinal axis), often meeting in midline (Fig.A); marginal vein often shorter than stigmal or postmarginal; mesoscutum convex and short; prescutal sutures absent or indicated by superficial lines  converging to meet at the pointed front end of scutellum (Figs.B-Z) ......... Encyrtidae    <Habits>; <Adults-1> & <Adults-2>; & <Juveniles> [also see fly-par.htm ]

 

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284a (283a).    Prescutal sutures mostly invisible, do not meet; prepectus flat, not projected flagellum with 7-8 segmented funicle plus club; mid coxae much closer to hind coxae than to fore ones (Fig.A); axillae not obviously at right angles with longitudinal axis and mostly wide apart so that scutellum is only rarely pointed anteriorly; marginal vein always much longer than stigmal vein (Figs.B-F) ...... A ...... Eupelmidae    <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles> .. (Subfamilies:   285)

 

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284b.    Prepectus swollen, in dorsal view protruding forwards as conspicuous shoulders (Fig.A), prescutal sutures meet medially; pronotum very short; always fully winged, stigmal vein fairly long but shorter than marginal (Fig.A); antennae with 12 segments; tropical and  phytophagous (not parasitic) .......... Tanaostigmatidae   <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>

 

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285a (284a).    Lack membranous area anterior to mid coxal insertion (Fig.A) ...... A ........  Eupelmidae   (Metapelmatinae)   <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>

 

286

285b.     With membranous area anterior to midcoxal insertion (Fig.A)

 

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286a (285b).    Scutum wider than pronotum, with anterolateral shoulders produced (Fig.A) ........ A ..........  Eupelmidae   (Calosotinae)   <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>

 

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286b.    Scutum not much wider than pronotum, with anterolateral shoulders indistinct  (Figs.A-B) ......... Eupelmidae  (Eupelminae)   <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>

 

288

287a (253b).    Usually 1 mm. or longer; body often metallic or dark in color; abdomennarrowly joined at propodeum (petiole may or may not be apparent); tarsi always with 4 segments;  postmarginal vein present or absent (Fig.A) ........... A.

 

292

287b.    Usually 1 mm or less in length; body mostly pale yellow to white, sometimes with dark markings or wholly dark, but not metallic; abdomen broadly joined to propodeum; postmarginal vein absent; tarsi usually with 3-5 segments (if 4 segments, then club large and undivided or wing fringed with long setae, or middle tarsi with only 4 segments)  (Fig A)

 

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288a (287a).    Hind coxa greatly enlarged; posterior scutellum with triangular, usually translucent flap overhanging propodeum; hind tibia with irregular, linear, or diamond-shaped patterns of setae; prescutal sutures indistinct; tarsi with 4 segments; fore wing very narrow, wedge-shaped and almost completely hairy, without outstanding bristles; male antenna with 3 branches.......... (Fig.A); general appearance (Figs.A-E) ...... A ...... Elasmidae   <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>

 

 

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288b.   Hind coxa not greatly enlarged (normal); posterior scutellum without overhanging  triangular flap; hind tibia without irregular setal patterns; body ranges from minute to medium size  (Figs.A-D) (up to 6 mm long) ..........Eulophidae    <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>   ..... (Subfamilies:   289)

 

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289a (288b).    Scutellum usually with 1 pair of setae; submarginal vein with 2 dorsal bristles (except some Neotropical genera with more); stigmal vein always very short and postmarginal even shorter than stigmal; face usually with scrobal and facial grooves; notaular grooves abruptly directed sideways and before the bend at least shortly interrupted; fully winged (Fig.A)......... A....... Eulophidae  (Entedoninae)   <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>

 

290

289b.    Scutellum with 2 pairs of setae (rarely 3 or more); submarginal with 3 or more setae (rarely with 1 or 2); face usually without distinct grooves

 

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290a (289b).    Fore wing with bare area posterior to marginal vein with single row of setae; usually with 2-3  "lines of setae" radiating from stigmal vein; scutellum in dorsal view entire, without longitudinal grooves, axillae on its sides separated by a depression which is not visible dorsally (Fig.A); female abdomen with 2 dorsal plates after the 6th (spiracle bearing), these loose or only partly fused ....... A ...... Eulophidae  (Euderinae)   <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>

 

291

290b.    Fore wing usually evenly setose posterior to marginal vein without row of setae; rarely with any "lines of setae" radiating from stigmal, when present, usually only one (Fig.A)

 

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291a (290b).    Postmarginal vein usually absent or rudimentary; shiny scutellum often with paired submedian grooves that divide the scutellum into 3 distinct pieces (Figs.A-B) .......  A ...…...  Eulophidae  (Tetrastichinae)   <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>

 

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291b.    Postmarginal vein present, stigmal vein usually moderately long; submarginal vein at distal end usually smooth curving into stigma (Fig.A); scutellum without submedian grooves, rarely with lateral grooves, when present at extreme lateral margins, scutellum usually with 2 or more pairs of setae (Fig.A), in some species with additional hairiness ..........  Eulophidae   (Eulophinae)   <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>

 

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292a (287b).    Tarsi with 3 segments, all segments elongated and almost of same length (Fig.A); setae on wings usually arranged in rows; stigmal vein usually elongated, postmarginal vein absent  (Fig.A); antennae short (5-9 segments) (Fig.A) and with few discernible funicular segments, male with elongated antennal "setae."; body minute, rarely exceeding 1 mm in length, never metallic (Figs.B-C); egg parasites ........ A. ........ Trichogrammatidae   <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniiles>

 

293

292b.    Tarsi with 4-5 segments; setae on wings largely absent, evenly covering wings, or with only a few bare spots or rows present; stigmal vein short and not obviously divergent from wing margin; antennae variable, but usually with discernible funiclar segments (if not, then with  large undivided club) (Fig.A)

 

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293a (292b).    Propodeum without median triangular area; scutellum (sc) not transverse (anterior, posterior sides not parallel), axillae (ax) distinct from scutellum, rarely meeting medially; club of antenna almost always segmented (a few species here have antennae like Signiphoridae).  Axillae (ax) do not meet medially, generally widely separated; prescutal sutures (n) present and mostly far apart, complete (Fig.A) and abdomen broadly sessile; fore wing post marginal vein mostly absent; (antennal club in Eretmocerus large and undivided, tarsi with 4 segments);   body usually less than 1 mm long, rarely 1.7 mm, always not metallic (Figs.B-H) ......... A  …...... Aphelinidae   <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>

 

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293b.   Propodeum with triangular median area (Fig.A); scutellum (sc) transverse (sides parallel), fused with axillae and forming a narrow cross-belt or widely separated; prescutal sutures complete but fine, linear; thorax smooth; club of antenna elongated and not segmented; male antennae simple; fore wing not especially narrow, basal 13rd mostly bare but with several very prominent bristles; body small, hardly ever >1mm long, usually black and depressed dorsally, always winged, abdomen broadly sessile (Figs.B-C)  ........ Signiphoridae      <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>