Diapriidae

Diapriidae
Diapriidae
undetermined Diapriidae from Germany
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Suborder: Apocrita
Superfamily: Proctotrupoidea
Subfamilies
  • Ambositrinae
  • Belytinae
  • Diapriinae
  • Ismarinae
Diversity
ca. 150 genera

Diapriidae is a family of insects belonging to the order Hymenoptera. These tiny wasps (with an average length of 2-4 mm and never exceeding 8 mm) are typically parasitoids on the larvae and pupae of a wide range of insects, especially flies; a few are hyperparasitoids (e.g., Ismarus, which parasitize Dryinidae who are themselves parasites of leafhoppers). There are about 2300 described species in 150 genera, divided into four subfamilies, and the group has a global distribution.

Diapriids show considerable diversity of form with aptery (lack of wings) fairly common, sometimes in both sexes. Nearly all species exhibit noticeable sexual dimorphism with males and females often mistaken for separate species. The wings, when present, show characteristically reduced venation, with the greatest reduction in the subfamilies Ambositrinae and Diapriinae.

References


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