Chalcididae
Chalcis biguttata Spinola, 1808.
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Superfamily: Chalcidoidea
Family: Chalcididae
Latreille, 1817
Subfamilies

Chalcidinae
Dirhininae
Epitraninae
Haltichellinae
Smicromorphinae

Diversity
5 subfamilies
c.85 genera
c.1455 species

The Chalcididae are a moderate-sized family within the Chalcidoidea, composed mostly of parasitoids and a few hyperparasitoids.[1] The family is apparently polyphyletic, though the different subfamilies may each be monophyletic, and some may be elevated to family status in the near future. As presently defined, there are over 85 genera and over 1460 species worldwide.[1] They are often black with yellow, red, or white markings, rarely brilliantly metallic, with a robust mesosoma and very strong sculpturing. The hind femora are often greatly enlarged, with a row of teeth or serrations along the lower margin.[2]

One of the more remarkable uses of the muscular hind legs is the species Lasiochalcidia igiliensis, which attacks the predatory larvae of ant lions, holding the mandibles of the larva spread apart while the wasp injects an egg into the membrane of the exposed throat.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 Noyes, J.S. (2019). "Universal Chalcidoidea Database: Chalcididae". www.nhm.ac.uk. The Natural History Museum. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  2. ↑ Gibson, Gary A.P. (1993). "Superfamilies Mymarommatoidea and Chalcidoidea". In Goulet, H.; Huber, J.T. (eds.). Hymenoptera of the world: an identification guide to families. Ottawa, Ontario: Agriculture Canada. p. 606. ISBN 0-660-14933-8.
  3. ↑ Sekar, Sandhya (2015). "Parasitoid wasps may be the most diverse animal group". www.bbc.com. BBC. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
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