Eucharitidae
Definition
A of parasitic in the superfamily (order Hymenoptera), comprising four (Akapalinae, Eucharitinae, Gollumiellinae, and Oraseminae) with more than 400 , predominantly distributed in tropical regions. Eucharitid wasps are specialized of , with females depositing away from colonies and first-instar larvae actively seeking out ant to be carried into the nest.
Etymology
From Eucharis (type , Greek 'grace, charm') + -idae ( suffix)
Example
Orasema (Oraseminae) are eucharitid of fire (Solenopsis), with larvae developing inside ant pupae after being transported into the colony by foraging .
Related Terms
- Chalcidoidea
- Parasitoid
- Hymenoptera
- Oraseminae
- Eucharitinae
- myrmecophily
- planidia
Usage Notes
The is distinguished from other chalcidoid families by its highly modified first-instar larvae () that actively search for . The two largest , Oraseminae and Eucharitinae, differ in host ant specificity and larval . Eucharitidae are sometimes confused with Eucharitidae (a family of ), but the latter is a junior synonym of Languriidae and not in current use.