Checklist of UK Recorded Megaspilidae

Description & Statistics

Ceraphronoidea

Alekseev (1978/1987), as translated from the Russian, noted that "This superfamily includes two inadequately studied families of small and very minute parasitic hymenopterans; body length 0.5-4.5 mm. Body color black, rarely chocolate-brown to rusty or yellow. Color usually lightens toward posterior end of body. Difference in color of macropterous and micropterous forms typical-- latter always lighter in tone. Antennae geniculate, with 7-11 segments (in European species with 9-11 segments), and attached slightly above clypeus. Basal antennal segment almost always the longest segment. Sides of pronotum reach tegulae. Mesonotum with transverse groove along posterior margin, and often one median groove, and two parapsidal grooves; or only with median groove; sometimes only with one transverse groove. Axillae very well developed, separated from shield by V-shaped suture, the frenum. Fore tibiae with two spurs. Venation of wings simple. Fore wings with fused costal and subcostal veins, behind which either large pterostigma located distally after transverse interstice, or marginal and postmarginal veins (the so-called linear pterostigma). The vein originating from the pterostigma on the alar plane is called the radial vein. Hind wings veinless and without anal lappet (in very rare cases anal lappet retained in form of trace). Forms with reduced wings are rather common, especially among females. Abdomen with roundish sides. Longest abdominal tergites and sternites-- the 1st tergite and 1st sternite. In the family Ceraphronidae the Waterston organ is located on the anterior middle part of the 4th abdominal tergite, and partially on the posterior part of the 3rd tergite. This is a small dense structure with unique reticulate sculpture (the Waterston organ may not be visible in elongated abdominal tergites). Ovipositor extends beyond tip of abdomen and is usually concealed during repose."

Primary and secondary parasitoids. major hosts: braconids infesting aphids (secondary parasitism), Neuroptera, predatory gall midges, coccids, Mecoptera, gall wasps and ladybirds."

"More than 20 genera known in world fauna." Alekseev (1978/1987) provided a key with 12 genera and about 100 species.

Megaspilidae

Alekseev (1978/1987), as translated from the Russian, noted that "Antennae in both sexes with equal number of segments. Depression above antennal sockets developed or absent. Subcostal vein before pterostigma often thickens and forms prostigma. Mesonotum in anterior part along sides sometimes with two parallel grooves extending from median groove. Abdominal petiole masked by "neck" and not visible unless abdomen removed. Abdomen relatively compressed dorsoventrally. male genitalia with volsellar plates distinctly demarcated from parameres." There were 7 species reported in Europe.

Masner (1993) noted that the body of members of this family is usually 2-3 mm long (rarely 4 mm); they are black or yellow; macropterous, brachypterous or apterous. The forewing has a large stigma (except in males of Lagynodinae). Antennae have 9 flagellar segments in both sexes. The metasoma has a neck-like, constricted, anterior margin of the largest tergum (true tergum 2 = apparent tergum 1).

Not much is known about their hosts and habits, but some members are primary parasitoids of Coccoidea (Homoptera), Neuroptera and puparia of Diptera, or they are hyperparasitoids of Aphididae (Homoptera) through Aphidiinae (Braconidae). One California species parasitizes Mecoptera (Boreidae). Two subfamilies are Megaspilinae and Lagynodinae. The former is cosmopolitan and comprises 12 genera; the latter comprises 2 genera with the sexes usually being extremely dimorphic. There are circa 450 described species worldwide (circa 1,000 are estimated). Information courtesy of www.faculty.ucr.edu [back to previous page]