Ibaliidae

Definition

A small family of hymenopteran wasps in the superfamily Cynipoidea, distinguished from most cynipoids by their parasitoid biology: larvae develop as ectoparasitoids on the larvae of woodwasps (family Siricidae) rather than inducing plant galls. The family comprises three extant genera and approximately 20 described species of relatively large, robust wasps, and is resolved as sister to the remainder of Cynipoidea excluding the relictual subfamily Austrocynipidae.

Etymology

Example

Ibalia leucospoides, a widespread ibaliid, locates siricid larvae tunneling in conifer wood and deposits eggs on the host, with the resulting larva consuming the woodwasp from the outside.

Related Terms

• Cynipoidea
• Siricidae
• Parasitoid
• gall wasp
• Austrocynipidae
• ectoparasitoid

Usage Notes

Ibaliidae represent one of the few non-gall-forming lineages in Cynipoidea; their parasitoid habit is considered plesiomorphic within the superfamily. The family is morphologically recognizable by the elongated, laterally compressed metasoma and reduced wing venation relative to other large cynipoids.