Anteoninae

Distinguished from other Dryinidae subfamilies by combination of: fully winged condition (occasionally brachypterous), forewing with three enclosed cells (costal, median, submedian) bordered by pigmented veins, quadridentate mandibles with graduated tooth size, complete occipital carina, and specific palpal segmentation (6 maxillary, 3 labial). Females further identified by flat pronotum, short broad foretrochanters, and chelate foretarsus without lamellae or teeth on enlarged claw. Anteoninae females lack the rudimentary claw present in some other dryinid subfamilies.

Adults typically fully winged, occasionally brachypterous. Forewing with costal, median, and submedian cells clearly enclosed by pigmented veins. Mandibles quadridentate with teeth progressively larger from anterior to posterior. Maxillary palpi with 6 segments, labial palpi with 3 segments. Occipital carina complete. Tibial spurs: 1 (fore), 1 (mid), 2 (hind). Females with flat dorsal pronotal surface, short broad foretrochanters, and chelate foretarsus lacking rudimentary claw; enlarged claw without teeth or lamellae. Mature larvae with very long setae on body and head; labrum with few long sensory bristles, two sensory pits, and apical row of sensory bristles; epipharynx with two sensilla; subtriangular labium with narrow subquadrate spinneret; bulb-shaped spiracles of approximately equal size in thorax and abdomen. Immature larvae possess frontal "mask" covering frontal region, lack cephalic vesicles, and have posterior body region strongly bent ventrally.

Terrestrial environments where leafhopper hosts occur. Larval cocoons constructed in soil and covered with soil particles.

Cosmopolitan distribution including: South Korea; Brazil (Bahia, Minas Gerais, Paraná); Mexico (Chiapas); and broadly across Neotropical, Palearctic, and other regions. Precise range varies by genus and species.

• Cicadellidae - parasitoidconfirmed host family; larvae develop externally on host thorax or between metathorax and abdomen

Development includes last immature stage and mature larva. Immature larvae attach to host on thorax or between metathorax and abdomen. Mature larvae form cocoons in ground covered with soil particles. Complete metamorphosis (holometabolous) inferred from family-level biology.

Immature larvae consistently position on host thorax or between metathorax and abdomen, with posterior body region strongly bent ventrally. Females use chelate forelegs to capture and hold leafhopper hosts during oviposition. Cocoon construction involves soil incorporation.

Primary parasitoid of leafhoppers (Cicadellidae), contributing to population regulation of these herbivorous insects. May influence leafhopper community dynamics and indirectly affect plant damage levels.

Potential biological control agents for leafhopper pests in agricultural systems, though specific applications not documented in provided sources.

• GonatopodinaeAnother large subfamily of Dryinidae also parasitic on Auchenorrhyncha; distinguished by forewing venation patterns, mandible dentition, and female foreleg structure including presence of rudimentary claw in many species
• AphelopinaeSmaller Dryinidae subfamily with reduced wing venation and different larval attachment sites on hosts

• parasitoid
• leafhopper parasite
• raptorial forelegs
• soil cocoon
• Dryinidae
• biological control potential

• BugGuide
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Larval morphology of three species of Anteoninae (Hymenoptera, Dryinidae)
• Taxonomic Study of the subfamily Anteoninae R.C.L Perkins (Hymenoptera: Dryinidae) from South Korea.
• Contribution to the knowledge of the Neotropical Anteoninae (Hymenoptera, Dryinidae), with the descriptions of two new species and new records