Spalangiidae


Spalangiidae is a family of chalcid wasps that are parasitoids of flies. The two subfamilies were moved from the family Pteromalidae to create this family in 2022. They are now known to be more closely related to the planidial clade of chalcid wasps than to the core Pteromalidae.

Description

Antenna usually with 8 flagellomeres, including a single-segment clava; antennal toruli are placed very low on the head in most species; mandibles usually with 2 or 3 teeth; all legs with 5 tarsomeres; protibial spur stout and curved. Eunotopsia differs from the other genera in having 11 flagellomeres including 3 clavomeres, toruli placed higher on the head, and having undivided mandibles. In the Spalangiinae the toruli are placed on lobes that overhang the clypeus and labrum. This distinctive antennal placement and the prognathous head make it easy to place members of Spalangiinae.

Subfamilies, genera and distribution

Erotolepsiinae:
Spalangiinae: