Signiphoridae
- Pronunciation
- /sig-nih-FOR-ih-dee/
- Category
- Taxonomy
- Singular
- Signiphoridae
- Plural
- Signiphoridae
Definition
A small of minute parasitic in the superfamily (Hymenoptera), comprising roughly 80 described distributed among four . Signiphorids are primary or secondary , often attacking other parasitoid wasps (hyperparasitoids) or insects and , and are characterized by reduced wing venation and compact, somewhat humpbacked bodies.
Full guide
Read the full Signiphoridae guide for identification, examples, and taxonomy.
Etymology
Example
Signiphorus flavopalliatus is a common signiphorid that hyperparasitizes encyrtid developing within insects, making it a tertiary consumer in citrus agroecosystems.
Related Terms
- Chalcidoidea
- Parasitoid
- hyperparasitoid
- Encyrtidae
- Aphelinidae
- scale insect
- whitefly
- Biological control
Usage Notes
Signiphoridae is treated as plural in taxonomic usage ("the Signiphoridae are...") but the name itself does not change form. The family is morphologically cryptic and frequently overlooked in surveys; identification typically requires slide-mounting and examination of , mesosoma, and wing microtrichia. Signiphorids are ecologically significant as hyperparasitoids that can disrupt programs targeting insects and .