Sclerogibbidae

Genus Guides

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is a small of within the superfamily Chrysidoidea. All modern are specialized ectoparasitoids of (webspinners). Females of extant species are wingless (), a trait not shared by fossil species known from Cretaceous and Miocene ambers. The family has a sparse but geographically widespread distribution across tropical and subtropical regions.

Sclerogibba rossi by (c) Bennett Grappone, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Bennett Grappone. Used under a CC-BY license.Sclerogibba by (c) Swarochi Tathagath, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Swarochi Tathagath. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Sclerogibbidae: //ˌsklɛroʊˈɡɪbɪdiː//

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Identification

Distinguished from other Chrysidoidea by the combination of: females being in all extant ; highly modified mesosoma with reduced wing structures; and association with . Males possess wings and are rarely encountered. The family can be separated from Dryinidae (the other major Embioptera- family in Chrysidoidea) by morphological features of the mesosoma and leg structure.

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Habitat

Primarily arid and semiarid ; also recorded from tropical rainforest (Amazon), dry forest (Caatinga), and wetland (Pantanal) biomes. The association with constrains habitat to areas supporting webspinner , typically under bark, stones, or in leaf litter.

Distribution

Widespread but patchy distribution: South America (Brazil, Argentina), Central America, Arabian Peninsula, East Asia (China, Japan, Hong Kong), Southeast Asia (Philippines). Fossil documented from Lebanese amber (Barremian), Burmese amber (Cenomanian), Charentese amber (France, Cenomanian), Choshi amber (Japan, Aptian), and Dominican amber (Miocene).

Host Associations

  • Embioptera - ectoparasitoidSpecialized of webspinners; females oviposit on

Life Cycle

Female oviposits on . Larva emerges and attaches to host, consuming it while attached. After host death, larva detaches, spins cocoon, and pupates.

Behavior

Females are ground-dwelling and , actively searching for in concealed microhabitats. Males are winged and presumably engage in and mate location, though their is poorly documented.

Ecological Role

of ; contributes to decomposition through consumption and nutrient cycling in concealed .

Similar Taxa

  • DryinidaeAlso of within Chrysidoidea; distinguished by morphological differences in mesosoma and leg structure, and typically have different attachment
  • BethylidaeSome superficial similarities in female and lifestyle, but are specialized for and show distinct wing reduction in females

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