Tiphiidae

Definition

A family of large, solitary wasps (Hymenoptera: Aculeata) whose larvae are ectoparasitoids of scarabaeoid beetle larvae, particularly those developing in soil or decaying wood. Females are typically winged and hunt for hosts, while males of many species are wingless and emerge before females to mate at emergence sites. The family formerly included the subfamilies now placed in Thynnidae, leaving Tiphiidae sensu stricto with two recognized subfamilies: Tiphiinae and Brachycistidinae.

Etymology

From the genus Tiphia (Greek tiphy, a kind of marsh plant or reed) + the family suffix -idae

Example

The common North American species Tiphia vernalis parasitizes larvae of the Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica) and has been evaluated as a classical biological control agent for this turf pest.

Synonyms

• flower wasps (informal, shared with Thynnidae)

Related Terms

• Thynnidae
• Scarabaeoidea
• Parasitoid
• Aculeata
• Biological control
• solitary wasp
• ectoparasitoid

Usage Notes

Tiphiidae in the modern restricted sense excludes the thynnine wasps now placed in Thynnidae; older literature may use 'Tiphiidae' in the broad sense. Males of many species are brachypterous or apterous and do not disperse far from emergence sites, creating strong spatial structure in populations. The family is of interest in biological control because several species attack economically important scarab pests.