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<palear-6.key.htm> Bibliography Bibliography #2 Terminology [Navigate to MAIN MENU]
Key to Superfamilies, Families and Some Subfamilies of Parasitic Hymenoptera (Derived from V. A.
Trjapitzin, 1982 by S. V. Trjapitzin & E. F. Legner) [This key is in a form commonly used in Eastern Europe. If the statement is true, proceed to the
next line, whereas if it is false, go to the line shown in parentheses] (Note: Not all illustrations are European species; Superfamily placements
may differ from other specialists.
Families are shown in Green): 1 (10). Hind wings with anal lobe 2 (5). Hind wings with 1-2 closed cells; abdominal segment 1 separated ventrally from the 2nd
segmentby a deep groove; abdomen glittering, sparsely setose, its middle part
widest ........... (Scolioidea) <Overview>] 3 (4). Fore wings with an unclear pterostigma;
last visible sternite of male extended into 3 spines;
eyes kidney-shaped; females always winged; larval parasitoids of lamellicorn
beetles ........... (Scolioidea) [Some place in Vespoidea] .......... Scoliidae <Habits>; <Adults>
& <Juveniles> 4 (3). Fore wings with a clear pterostigma;
last visible sternite of male with a hooked spine; eyes not kidney-shaped;
females sometimes wingless; larval parasitoids of lamellicorn beetles
............ Vespoidea (=
Tiphioidea) .......... Tiphiidae <Habits>; <Adults>
& <Juveniles> 5 (2). Hind wings without closed cells. 6 (7). Abdomen 3-4, seldom with 5 segments, concave ventrally, so that the
insect can roll itself into a ball; fore wings with a more complicated
venation; body color brilliant, metallic; body length 2-15 mm; in nests of solitary bees & wasps ............. Chrysidoidea (= Bethyloidea) .......... Chrysididae <Habits>; <Adults>
& <Juveniles> 7 (6). Abdomen with 7-8 segments; fore wings with 2 elongated cells at base and a small pterostigma .......... Chrysidoidea (= Bethyloidea) <Overview> 8 (9). Head prognathous; antennae with 12-13 segments, attached at oral margin; legs not
long, fore tarsi with simple claws; wings sometimes not developed; body
usually black, seldom brown, 1-8 mm long;
larval parasitoids of Coleoptera & less frequently Lepidoptera
........... Chrysidoidea (=
Bethyloidea) .......... Bethylidae <Overview> 9 (8). Head hypognathous; antennae with 10 segments, attached at margin of clypeus; legs thin, with mobile
claws; wings often not developed; body ginger, brown to black, 2-8 mm long; parasitoids of leafhoppers
............. Chrysidoidea (= Bethyloidea) .......... Dryinidae <Habits>; <Adults>
& <Juveniles> 10 (1). Hind wings without anal lobe, with
almost straight posterior margin. 11 (16). Fore wings usually with several closed
cells and pterostigma; antennae not geniculate (= elbowed), multisegmented; body black, ginger or often
with light spots ........... (Ichneumonoidea) <Overview> 12 (13). Fore
wings with 2nd nrs-vein; junction between abdominal
segments 2 and 3 mobile;
body length averages 10-25 mm;
parasitoids in pupae of Lepidoptera, larvae of Coleoptera; puparia of
Diptera, often in pupae of Hymenoptera & spider cocoons ............ (Ichneumonoidea) .......... Ichneumonidae <Habits>; <Adults-1>
& <Adults-2> & <Adults-3>;
& <Juveniles> 13 (12). Fore wings without 2nd nrs-vein. 14 (15). Abdominal segments 1-3 short, sometimes only segment 1 longer; junction between abdominal segments 2 & 3 immobile; fore wing venation usually more
complicated; body length averages 5-15 mm; parasitoids in larvae of Lepidoptera & Coleoptera
(sometimes in adult beetles), puparia of Diptera .......... (Ichneumonoidea) Braconidae <Habits>; <Adults-1>
& <Adults-2> & <Adults-3> 15 (14). Abdominal segments 1-3 long; junction between abdominal segments 2 & 3 mobile; fore wing venation usually less complicated;
body usually not longer than 5 mm; parasitoids in aphids .......... (Ichneumonoidea) Aphidiidae This family is now
usually placed as a Subfamily of Braconidae: Aphidiinae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles> 16 (11). Fore wing venation usually reduced,
often without closed cells [in Cynipoidea, however, at least with a closed radial cell,
in some Proctotrupoidea with several closed cells; antennae with not more
than 18 segments. 17 (40). Mesoscutum reaches tegulae laterally;
body mostly black or brown. 18 (25). Thorax humped, with scutellum strongly
convex, often with deep sculpturing; antennae not geniculate, with 11-18 segments; abdomen compressed laterally; fore
wing without pterostigma, with few cells ........... (Cynipoidea) <Overview> 19 (20). Abdomen long, foliaceous (leaf-shaped);
radial cell of fore wing not less than 9X longer
than wide; 2nd segment of hind tarsi with an obtuse spine;
thorax with transverse lines dorsally; body ginger or black, 7-14 mm long; larval parasitoids of horntails
........... (Cynipoidea) .......... Ibaliidae <Habits>; <Adults>
& <Juveniles> 20 (19). Abdomen shorter, not foliaceous; radial
cell of fore wing markedly shorter; 2nd segment
of hind tarsi without an obtuse
spine; body less than 7 mm long. 21 (22). Scutellum with a medial elevated,
sharply limited rounded or oval, bowl-like formation; body black, 0.8- 4.5mm long; parasitoids in puparia of Diptera ....... (Cynipoidea) ...... Cynipidae (Eucoilinae) <Habits>; <Adults>
& <Juveniles> 22 (21). Scutellum without a medial bowl-like
formation. 23 (24). First abdominal tergite of female short
laterally, usually less than 1/2 length of
abdomen; body more slender, black, 1.5-5.0 mm long;
parasitoids in pupae of Diptera, larvae of Coleoptera, sometimes in cocoons
of Neuroptera . ........... (Cynipoidea) .......... Figitidae <Habits>; <Adults>
& <Juveniles> 24 (23). First abdominal tergite of female
laterally at least equal to 1/2 length of
abdomen; body usually shorter and more solid, black or brown, 1.0-1.75 mm long; scutellum usually smooth, seldom pitted at base;
secondary parasitoids of aphids ........... (Cynipoidea) .......... Alloxystidae (= part of
Cynipidae) <Habits>; <Adults>
& <Juveniles> 25 (18). Thorax not humped; antennae usually
geniculate, with not more than 16 segments;
body usually black; ore wing venation variable, sometimes with pterostigma or
closed cells ........ (Proctotrupoidea) <Overview> & Ceraphronoidea) <Overivew> 26 (29). Abdomen fringed laterally, or with a
sharp margin; antennae attached at oral foramen. 27 (28). Fore wings with developed marginal and
radial veins; antennae with 11-12, seldom 10, segments; body 0.6-6.0 mm long; parasitoids in eggs of Lepidoptera,
Hemiptera, Tabanidae, Orthoptera & spiders ............. (Proctotrupoidea) ........ Scelionidae <Habits>; <Adults>
& <Juveniles> 28 (27). Fore wing venation almost absent;
antennae with 7-10 segments;
body 0.5-3.0 mm long; parasitoids in gall flies (often
polyembryonic), seldom parasitoids of whiteflies & mealybugs ......... (Proctotrupoidea) ........ Platygastridae <Habits>; <Adults>
& <Juveniles> 29 (26). Abdomen rounded laterally, not fringed
or without a sharp margin. 30 (33). Antennae attached at frontal projection;
fore wings without pterostigma ............ (Proctotrupoidea)-- Diapriidae <Habits>; <Adults>
& <Juveniles> 31 (32). Female antennae with 11-13 segments, male antennae with 13-14 segments; fore wings with a strongly shortened
venation; body 1-5 mm long;
parasitoids in larvae & puparia of Diptera, sometimes in ant nests.
.......... (Chalcidoidea) .......... Pteromalidae (Diparinae) <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles> 32 (31).
Female antennae with 15, seldom 14, segments,
male antennae with 14 segments; fore wings with a more developed
venation; body 2.0-5.5 mm long; parasitoids in puparia of Diptera
.......... (Proctotrupoidea) .......... Diapriidae (Belytinae)
<Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles> 33 (30). Antennae usually attached close to oral
foramen 34 (37). Fore wings usually with pterostigma,
often with closed cells; antennae usually not geniculate 35 (36). Antennae with 13 segments; fore wings with a vein along pterostigma; ovipositor often
long; body 2-8 mm long;
parasitoids in larvae of Coleoptera ............ (Proctotrupoidea) .......... Proctotrupidae <Habits>; <Adults>
& <Juveniles> 36 (35). Antennae with 16 segments; fore wings with 2 large
cells; ovipositor not projecting; body 4.0-6.5 mm long;
parasitoids in larvae of Neuroptera ............ (Proctotrupoidea) ..........
Heloridae <Habits>; <Adults>
& <Juveniles> 37 (34). Fore wings usually often without
pterostigma; if with pterostigma, then venation strongly reduced; antennae geniculate ........... (Ceraphronoidea) <Habits>; <Adults>
& <Juveniles> 38 (39). Fore wings without pterostigma; female
antennae with 9-10 segments,
male antennae with 10-11 segments;
body 0.5-2.5 mm long; parasitoids in gall flies, sometimes
in ant nests ........... (Ceraphronoidea) ..........
Ceraphronidae <Habits>; <Adults>
& <Juveniles> 39 (38). Fore wings with a large pterostigma;
antennae with 11 segments in both sexes; body 1.0-4.5 mm long; parasitoids in aphids, coccids (secondary parasitoids),
gall flies, Syrphidae & sometimes in ant nests ............ (Ceraphronoidea) .......... Megaspilidae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles> 40 (17). Mesoscutum not reaching tegulae laterally;
fore wing venation without closed cells; antennae usually geniculate, not
more than 13 segments, usually with 1-3 ring segments ........... (Chalcidoidea) <Overview> 41 (44). Species very small, often less than 1 mm long; egg parasitoids. 42 (43). Tarsi with 3 segments; fore wings short, wide, setae arranged in rows, or
narrower with a long fringe; antennae with 5-9 segments & with ring segments; body yellow or brown, 0.4-1.2 mm long; parasitoids in eggs of Lepidoptera, Hemiptera,
Cicadellidae, Coleoptera & other insects ........... (Chalcidoidea) .......... Trichogrammatidae <Habits>; <Adults>
& <Juveniiles> 43 (42).
Tarsi with 4-5 segments;
fore wings narrow, with a long fringe, venation almost lacking, hind wings
linear or setiform; antennae long, with 8-13 segments, without ring segments; female antennae often with a
large nonsegmented club, male antennae filiform; body black, seldom brown, 0.2-1.4 mm long; parasitoids in eggs of Odonata, Cicadellidae,
Hemiptera, Lepidoptera, Coleoptera & other insects ......... (Chalcidoidea) .......
Mymaridae <Habits>; <Adults>
& <Juveniles> 44 (41). Species larger, seldom less than 1 mm long. 45 (50). Hind femora strongly dilated, with
spines along lower margin; hind tibiae curved. 46 (47). Fore wings folded longitudinally as in
wasps; ovipositor long, curved onto dorsal surface of abdomen ; body black with yellow or orange spots, 6-16 mm long; parasitoids in nests of solitary bees
& wasps ............. (Chalcidoidea) .......
Leucospidae <Habits>; <Adults>
& <Juveniles> 47 (46). Fore wings not folded longitudinally; if
long then ovipositor straight. 48 (49). Ovipositor long, thin, longer than body;
propodeum with a Y-shaped keel; body metallic, 3-4 mm long; parasitoids in egg cases of Mantidae
......... (Chalcidoidea) .......
Torymidae (genus Podagrion) <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles> 49 (48). Ovipositor usually not projecting or
covered at base by a long distal abdominal tergite; body black, sometimes
brown or with yellow and orange spots, 3-12 mm long; parasitoids in pupae of Lepidoptera, puparia of
Diptera, seldom in larvae & pupae of Coleoptera ......... (Chalcidoidea)
....... Chalcididae <Habits>; <Adults>
& <Juveniles> 50 (45). Hind femora not dilated strongly; hind tibiae
straight. 51 (54). Hind coxae large, 3-edged, usually considerably larger than fore coxae. 52 (53). Abdomen somewhat oval, often with
smooth, glittering tergites; ovipositor long; body metallic, 1.5-7.0 mm long; parasitoids in galls of gall flies & wasps, in
pupae of Lepidoptera, puparia of Diptera, seldom in larvae & pupae of
Coleoptera ....... (Chalcidoidea) ........
Torymidae <Habits>; <Adults>
& <Juveniles> 53 (52). Abdomen elongated, acute apically;
tergites with a convex characteristic sculpturing; ovipositor slightly
projecting, covered at base by a long distal abdominal tergite; body
metallic, 1.5-7.5 mm long; parasitoids in galls of Cynipoidea ......... (Chalcidoidea) ........
Ormyridae <Habits>; <Adults>
& <Juveniles> 54 (51). Hind coxae usually slightly larger than
fore coxae. 55 (58). Thorax strongly convex, often markedly
larger than abdomen. 56 (57). Abdomen with an unclear or short
petiole; two 1st abdominal tergites long, often hiding other tergites;
scutellum not strongly convex, rounded at apex or with small spines; fore
wings with postmarginal and radial veins rather long; body usually metallic,
seldom yellow or black, 1.5-5.0 mm long, seldom up to 8.0 mm long; parasitoids in puparia of Diptera
& cocoons of Hymenoptera & Neuroptera ........... (Chalcidoidea) ..........
Perilampidae <Habits>; <Adults>
& <Juveniles> 57 (56). Abdomen with a long petiole; 1st abdominal tergite long, usually hiding other tergites;
scutellum strongly convex, often with long spines at apex; fore wings with
postmarginal and radial veins very short; antennae not geniculate; body
usually metallic, seldom yellow, 3-7 mm long; parasitoids in ant nests (Chalcidoidea) ...........
Eucharitidae <Habits>; <Adults>
& <Juveniles> 58 (56). Thorax less strongly convex, usually not
larger than abdomen. 59 (62). Mesopleura convex, whole; middle tibiae
usually with a thick and long spur. 60 (61). Mesoscutum convex, usually without parapsides; fore wings
usually with a short marginal vein; funicle not less than 7 segments; tarsi with 5, seldom 4, segments; body metallic, sometimes yellow or brown to black, 1-3 mm long, seldom less than 1 mm long; parasitoids in coccids, seldom in eggs of Lepidoptera,
Hemiptera, Coleoptera; in egg cases of cockroaches; in larvae & pupae of
Coleoptera, puparia of Diptera, larvae of Neuroptera; in Psillidae; secondary
parasitoids of aphids; polyembryonic parasitoids n larvae of Lepidoptera, in
nymphs of ticks ...... (Chalcidoidea) ..........
Encyrtidae <Adults-1>
& <Adults-2>; & <Juveniles> 61 (60). Female mesoscutum flat or compressed,
with unclear parapsides; male mesoscutum sometimes convex, with complete
parapsides and compressed mesopleura; fore wings with a long marginal vein,
sometimes shortened; funicle with 7 segments;
tarsi with 5 segments; body metallic, 2.3-10.0 mm long; parasitoids in eggs of Lepidoptera, Hemiptera &
Cicadidae, in coccids, larvae & pupae of Coleoptera, galls of gall flies,
gall wasps & sawflies, in puparia of Diptera (Chalcidoidea) ..........
Eupelmidae <Habits>; <Adults>
& <Juveniles> 62 (59). Mesopleura with a furrow or impression, not
convex; if long, then spur on middle tibiae not thick. 63 (64).
Antennae with 2-4 ring
segments and a long unsegmented club, without a funicle; middle tibiae with a
long serrated spur; body black, seldom yellow, flattened, usually ca. 1 mm long; parasitoids in coccids & puparia of Leucospis
flies, often as secondary parasitoids ........ (Chalcidoidea) ........
Signiphoridae <Habits>; <Adults>
& <Juveniles> 64 (63). Antennae usually with funicular segments
and a not long, frequently 3-segmented club; middle tibiae with a shorter,
not serrated spur. 65 (76). Axillae not projecting forward beyond
the line between tegulae; tarsi usually with 5 segments;
antennae with more than 10 segments; fore tibiae with a thicker curved
spur. 66 (71). Pronotum usually long, rectangular or
narrowing anteriorly. 67 (68). Pronotum rectangular; female abdomen
slightly compressed laterally, with the last tergite slightly elevated; male
abdomen rounded, with a long petiole; body black, seldom yellow or
yellow-spotted, 1.5-4.5 mm, sometimes up to 6.0 mm long; parasitoids in larvae of beetles,
galls of gall flies, gall wasps & sawflies, in puparia of Diptera, pupae
of Hymenoptera; many species are phytophagous ......... (Chalcidoidea) ........
Eurytomidae <Habits>; <Adults>
& <Juveniles> 68 (67). Pronotum often narrowing anteriorly; if
rectangular, then body metallic; abdomen sometimes with a marked petiole
......... (Chalcidoidea) ........ Pteromalidae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles> 69 (70). Pronotum narrowing anteriorly;
mesoscutum with marked parapsides; fore wings with a long marginal vein and
short radial and postmarginal veins; antennal funicle with 5-7 segments, club usually not segmented; body
black, 1.5-3.5 mm long; parasitoids in puparia of Diptera
......... (Chalcidoidea) ....... Pteromalidae (Spalangiinae) <Habits>; <Adults>
& <Juveniles> 70 (69). Pronotum rectangular, narrowing anteriorly,
or clearly longer than wide; mesoscutum usually with marked, not always
complete parapsides; fore femora sometimes thickened; ovipositor sometimes
projecting; antennae with 11-13 segments;
body metallic, 2-5 mm long,
seldom shorter; parasitoids in larvae of wood-damaging beetles ........... (Chalcidoidea)
........ Pteromalidae (Cleonyminae) <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles> 71 (66). Pronotum usually short, transverse. 72 (73). Abdomen with a marked petiole; antennae
attached at middle of face; marginal vein often longer than radial vein; postmarginal vein long; hind
tibiae usually with 2 spurs; body metallic, 1.5-5.0 mm long; parasitoids in puparia of Diptera; secondary parasitoids
of aphids; in eggs of silkworm moths, in coccids ......... (Chalcidoidea)
........ Pteromalidae (Miscogasterinae) <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles> 73 (72). Abdomen without a marked petiole. 74 (75). Parapsides complete; antennae attached
often at oral margin, usually with less than 13 segments;
scutellum sometimes long, strongly projecting backwards; body black or
metallic, 1-4 mm long;
parasitoids in coccids ......... (Chalcidoidea)
.......... Pteromalidae (Eunotinae) <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles> 75 (74). Parapsides marked only anteriorly;
antennae with 13 segments, with 2-3 ring segments; hind tibiae more frequently with 1 spur; body usually metallic, 2-6 mm long; parasitoids in larvae & pupae of beetles,
particularly bark beetles, in puparia of gall flies & other Diptera,
pupae of Lepidoptera, cocoons of Hymenoptera, often in eggs of beetles, in
galls of Cynipoidea
........ (Chalcidoidea) .......
Pteromalidae (Pteromalinae) <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles> 76 (65). Axillae usually projecting forward
beyond the line between tegulae; tarsi usually with 4 segments; antennae usually with not more than 10 segments; fore tibiae with a thinner straight spur. 77 (78). Hind coxae large, disc-shaped, dilated;
tarsi long, with 4-5 segments;
male antennae often ramose; body black, seldom yellow or with metallic
lustre, 1.3-3.0 mm long; parasitoids in pupae of Lepidoptera
& Hymenoptera, in puparia of Diptera
........... (Chalcidoidea) ..........
Elasmidae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles> 78 (77). Hind coxae not disc-shaped, slightly
larger than fore coxae. 79 (80). Abdomen with a broad base; tarsi with 4-5 segments; body yellow or brown, seldom black, 0.5-1.8 mm long; parasitoids in coccids (mostly armored scales),
whiteflies, aphids; in eggs of grasshoppers & leafhoppers ............ (Chalcidoidea) ........
Aphelinidae <Habits>; <Adults>
& <Juveniles> 80 (79). Abdomen with a narrow base or a marked
petiole; tarsi more frequently with 4 segments;
body metallic, seldom yellow or black, usually longer than 1 mm. 81 (82). Female tarsi with 5 segments, male tarsi more frequently with 4 segments; antennae with 11-12 segments (without ring segments); parapsides complete; axillae
not clearly projecting forward; body metallic, 1-3 mm long; parasitoids in eggs of sawflies,
beetles, in puparia of Diptera
......... (Chalcidoidea) ........ Tetracampidae <Habits>; <Adults>
& <Juveniles> 82 (81). Tarsi always with 4 segments; axillae usually clearly projecting forward....( Chalcidoidea) ..........
Eulophidae <Habits>; <Adults>
& <Juveniles> 83 (88). Submarginal vein broken as passing into
marginal vein. 84 (85). Postmarginal vein not developed; mesoscutum
usually with a fine medial longitudinal line; scutellum often with 2 longitudinal lines; axillae strongly projecting forward; body
metallic, often yellow, with yellow spots, brown or black, 1-4 mm long; parasitoids in pupae of Lepidoptera
and sawflies; in puparia of Diptera; in gall flies; in larvae, pupae and eggs
of Coleoptera, & in other insects
........ (Chalcidoidea) ........
Eulophidae (Tetrastichinae) <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles> 85 (84). Fore wings usually with postmarginal
vein; mesoscutum usually without a fine medial longitudinal line. 86 (87). Mesoscutum with fine and somewhat
straight parapsides; body 1-4 mm long;
larval parasitoids of Cerambycidae, Buprestidae, sawflies and some Lepidoptera;
sometimes secondary parasitoids ......... (Chalcidoidea) ..........
Eulophidae (Euderinae)
<Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles> 87 (86). Mesoscutum with deep and curved
parapsides or impressions; parapsidesusually clear anteriorly and as a groove
posteriorly; body usually metallic, 1-4 mm long; parasitoids in eggs and larvae of Coleoptera; galls of
gall flies; mines of Diptera, Lepidoptera and Coleoptera; in thrips; pupae of
Hymenoptera; in whiteflies ......... (Chalcidoidea) ..........
Eulophidae (Entedontinae) <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles> 88 (83). Submarginal vein passing into marginal
vein smoothly and without a break, usually longer than marginal vein;
postmarginal vein usually not developed. 89 (90). Mesoscutum with deep parapsides reaching
its posterior margin; abdomen usually with a marked petiole; male antennae
not ramose; body black, often with yellow or orange spots or almost
completely yellow, seldom metallic, 1-4 mm long; parasitoids in mines of Lepidoptera & Coleoptera;
on larvae of Lepidoptera; in galls of
Cynipoidea. ........... (Chalcidoidea) ........
Eulophidae (Elachertinae) <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles> 90 (89). Mesoscutum usually with only faintly
marked parapsides; abdomen usually without a marked petiole; male antennae
often ramose; body metallic, sometimes yellow or black, 1-4 mm long; parasitoids in mines of Lepidoptera
& Diptera; in cocoons & mines of sawflies; on larvae of Lepidoptera
......... (Chalcidoidea) .........
Eulophidae (Eulophinae)
<Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles> = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
= REFERENCES: Trjapitzin, V. A. 1982. A key for identification of superfamilies,
families and some subfamilies of
parasitic Hymenoptera, p. 237-54. In: V. A. Trjapitzin, V. A. Shapiro & V.
A. Scheptilnikova (eds.), Parasites
and Predators of Agricultural Crop Pests,
2nd ed.
Kolos Publ., Leningrad. 256 p. |