Bethylidae
- Pronunciation
- /beth-ih-li-dee/
- Category
- Taxonomy
- Singular
- Bethylid
- Plural
- Bethylids
Definition
A family of small to medium-sized wasps. Some species are apterous and ant-like. Females lay their eggs in the nests of other insects, where the larvae feed on the host's resources.
Etymology
Derived from the New Latin 'Bethylus', based on Greek 'bethys', meaning 'deep'.
Example
Bethylid wasps are known for their kleptoparasitic behavior, where they lay their eggs in the nests of other insects.
Related Terms
- Cuckoo wasps
- Kleptoparasitism