Chrysidoidea

Definition

A superfamily of small parasitoid and cleptoparasitic wasps within the suborder Apocrita, traditionally regarded as the sister group to all other Aculeata (stinging wasps, ants, and bees). Members are typically under 15 mm, often metallic, and include cuckoo wasps (Chrysididae), bethylids, and dryinids. Most females possess a functional stinger with venom generally harmless to humans.

Etymology

From Chrysis (type genus, from Greek chrysos 'gold', referring to metallic coloration) + -oidea (superfamily suffix).

Example

The emerald cuckoo wasp Chrysis ignita (family Chrysididae) is a cleptoparasite that lays eggs in the mud-nest cells of mason bees; its larva consumes the host's pollen store and developing offspring.

Related Terms

• Aculeata
• Apocrita
• Hymenoptera
• Parasitoid
• cleptoparasite
• Chrysididae
• Bethylidae
• Dryinidae

Usage Notes

Chrysidoidea is treated as the basal lineage of Aculeata in most phylogenetic analyses, though some molecular studies have questioned this placement. The superfamily is cosmopolitan but many families (e.g., Plumariidae, Sclerogibbidae, Scolebythidae) are rare and poorly collected. 'Chrysidoidea' refers to the entire superfamily; do not confuse with the family Chrysididae (cuckoo wasps), which is merely one component.