Calesidae

Calesidae is a small family of chalcid wasps, previously classified as subfamily Calesinae, in the family Aphelinidae. These tiny wasps are parasitoids of other small insects, mainly whitefly species, including the widespread pest Aleurothrixus floccosus.

Identification

with a radicle two to four times longer than its width and three or four flagellomeres; the club is fused and exceeds the length of the preceding flagellomeres. The protibial spur is short and straight. All legs have four tarsomeres. Scutellum, axilla, and lateral lobe of mesoscutum appear fused. Mesosoma is broadly attached to metasoma. The marginal vein of the hind wing is highly curved. The body is pale yellowish or yellowish brown.

Cales is the only extant genus in the family. There are two species groups: