Chrysidoidea

Cuckoo Wasps and Allies

Family Guides

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is a large, superfamily of comprising approximately 6,000 described across seven extant . The group includes three large, common families—Bethylidae, Chrysididae (cuckoo wasps), and Dryinidae—and four small, rare families—Embolemidae, Plumariidae, Sclerogibbidae, and . All members are or of other insects. The superfamily is traditionally considered the basal within , with some species capable of stinging though their venom is harmless to humans. Members of Dryinidae and Embolemidae exhibit a unique where larvae begin development inside the body and later form an external sac (thylacium) protruding from the host .

Damaeus by (c) Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas. Used under a CC-BY license.Epidermoptidae by (c) Cricket Raspet, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Cricket Raspet. Used under a CC-BY license.Psoroptidae by (c) Oleksii Vasyliuk, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Oleksii Vasyliuk. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Chrysidoidea: /ˌkrɪsɪˈdɔɪdiə/

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Distribution

. Specific regional records include: Afrotropical region (Madagascar, South Africa, Kenya, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Union of the Comoros); Oriental region (China, Malaysia, Myanmar); Eastern Palaearctic region; Arabian Peninsula; British Isles; Hong Kong; North America (New Jersey, Late Cretaceous amber records for extinct Plumalexiidae).

Host Associations

Life Cycle

Members of Dryinidae and Embolemidae exhibit a distinctive : the larva begins development inside the body of the , then later forms a sac (thylacium) that protrudes externally from the host's . Sclerogibbidae are more traditional ectoparasitoids.

Ecological Role

and cleptoparasitic that regulate of other insects, particularly Auchenorrhyncha (leafhoppers, planthoppers, cicadas) and .

Human Relevance

Some can sting but venom is harmless to humans. Chrysididae (cuckoo wasps) are frequently encountered and photographed by naturalists.

Similar Taxa

  • VespoideaBoth are superfamilies within ; is distinguished as the basal with primarily /cleptoparasitic lifestyles versus the more diverse ecological roles in Vespoidea
  • ApoideaBoth are superfamilies; lacks the pollen-collecting adaptations and eusociality found in many

More Details

Fossil Record

The extinct Plumalexiidae was described in 2011 from two small male specimens preserved in Turonian age (Late Cretaceous, ~90 million years ago) New Jersey amber. This family is apparently most closely related to Plumariidae, now restricted to arid areas of South America and southern Africa, representing a significant disjunct distribution that raises questions about the origins and historical of .

Taxonomic Composition

The superfamily includes: Bethylidae (flat wasps), Chrysididae (cuckoo wasps), Dryinidae, Embolemidae, Plumariidae, Sclerogibbidae, , and the extinct Plumalexiidae.

Phylogenetic Position

Traditionally considered the basal within , though this position has been subject to ongoing phylogenetic investigation.

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Sources and further reading