Pirenidae

Haliday, 1844

Genus Guides

3

Pirenidae is a of minute chalcidoid wasps (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) elevated from rank within Pteromalidae to family status in 2022-2023 based on phylogenomic reclassification. Members are or hyperparasitoids of other insects. The family comprises approximately 30 organized into five subfamilies: Cecidellinae, Eriaporinae, Euryischiinae, Pireninae, and Tridyminae.

Pirenidae by (c) Paul Cook, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Paul Cook. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Pirenidae: //paɪˈrɛnɪˌdeɪ//

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Identification

are 1-2 mm in length with weakly sclerotized, superficially sculptured bodies. Coloration ranges from yellowish and brown to black and blue metallic. possess a reduced number of flagellomeres compared to related chalcidoid . Distinguishing Pirenidae from other Chalcidoidea families requires examination of subtle morphological characters; the family's elevation from Pteromalidae status was based on molecular phylogenetic rather than obvious morphological differences.

Images

Distribution

distribution. Documented from Afrotropical region (Africa), India, and Papua New Guinea ( Papuaglenes).

Host Associations

Ecological Role

and hyperparasitoids of other insects, potentially contributing to of pest through multi-trophic interactions.

Similar Taxa

  • PteromalidaePirenidae was formerly treated as a (Pireninae) within Pteromalidae; distinguished by molecular and subtle morphological characters rather than obvious external differences.

Sources and further reading