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HYMENOPTERA, Peradeniidae (Proctotrupoidea).-- <Images> & <Juveniles>

Peradeniidae

Description & Statistics

Peradeniidae. -- Data on the biology of these proctotrupids is sparse, but they have been collected during the winter months in Australia. There is one genus, Peradenia, with two species.

Peradeniids are 6-10 mm long, hardy and black, similar to twig-nesting Pemphredonidae (Pemphredon) (Masner 1993). The eyes are large, and there is restricted malar space. The pronotum projects backwards in lateral view. The forewing veins are reduced to only 2 closed cells, and the metatibia are distinctly clavate. The metasomal segment 1 is very long and narrow (petiolate). The anterior portion of tergum 2 and sternum 2 are constricted and neck-like, terga 2-4 are fused (Masner 1993).

The biology has not been studied extensively, but some workers have observed a flight period during winter. The family has one genus (Peradenia) with 2 species only in Tasmania and Victoria, Australia.

A family description was also given by Naumann & Masner (1985).

References: Please refer to <biology.ref.htm>, [Additional references may be found at: MELVYL Library]

Johnson, N. F., L. Musetti & J.-W. Janzen. 2001: A new fossil species of the Australian endemic genus Peradenia Naumann & Masner (Hymenoptera: Proctotrupoidea, Peradeniidae) from Baltic Amber. Insect systematics & evolution, 32: 191-194.

Naumann, I. D. & L. Masner. 1985: Parasitic wasps of the proctotrupoid complex: a new family from Australia and a key to world families (Hymenoptera: Proctotrupoidea sensu lato). Australian journal of zoology, 33: 761-783.