Eucharitidae

Definition

A family of parasitic wasps in the superfamily Chalcidoidea (order Hymenoptera), comprising four subfamilies (Akapalinae, Eucharitinae, Gollumiellinae, and Oraseminae) with more than 400 species, predominantly distributed in tropical regions. Eucharitid wasps are specialized parasitoids of ants, with females depositing eggs away from host colonies and first-instar larvae actively seeking out ant workers to be carried into the nest.

Etymology

From Eucharis (type genus, Greek 'grace, charm') + -idae (family suffix)

Example

Orasema species (Oraseminae) are eucharitid parasitoids of fire ants (Solenopsis), with larvae developing inside ant pupae after being transported into the colony by foraging workers.

Related Terms

• Chalcidoidea
• Parasitoid
• Hymenoptera
• Oraseminae
• Eucharitinae
• myrmecophily
• planidia

Usage Notes

The family is distinguished from other chalcidoid families by its highly modified first-instar larvae (planidia) that actively search for host ants. The two largest subfamilies, Oraseminae and Eucharitinae, differ in host ant specificity and larval morphology. Eucharitidae are sometimes confused with Eucharitidae (a family of beetles), but the latter is a junior synonym of Languriidae and not in current use.