Gasteruptiidae

Definition

A family of apocritan wasps (Hymenoptera: Evanioidea) comprising approximately 500 species in six genera and two subfamilies worldwide. Members are morphologically conservative, showing surprisingly little variation in appearance across the family. Adults are typically slender with an elongated, petiolate metasoma and are often observed visiting flowers or searching for hosts in dead wood and stems.

Etymology

From Greek gaster (belly, stomach) + uptios (upturned), referring to the characteristic upward-curving or elevated position of the metasoma in many species.

Example

Gasteruptiid wasps are parasitoids or cleptoparasites of solitary bees and wasps that nest in pre-existing cavities; females use their elongated, telescopic ovipositors to probe deep into wood or plant stems to reach concealed host cells, as seen in the genus Gasteruption.

Related Terms

• Evanioidea
• Apocrita
• Parasitoid
• cleptoparasitism
• metasoma
• ovipositor

Usage Notes

The family is placed in the superfamily Evanioidea alongside Evaniidae (ensign wasps) and Aulacidae. Gasteruptiidae are sometimes mistaken for ichneumon wasps due to their slender build and long ovipositors, but differ in their elevated petiole and reduced wing venation. The morphological uniformity of the family makes species identification challenging without detailed examination of genitalic and other subtle characters.