Sclerogibbidae

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Superfamily: Chrysidoidea
Family: Sclerogibbidae

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Sclerogibbidae: //ˌsklɛroʊˈɡɪbɪdiː//

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Summary

Sclerogibbidae is a small family of aculeate wasps in the superfamily Chrysidoidea. They are ectoparasitoids of Embioptera, with significant morphological differentiation between male and female specimens.

Physical Characteristics

Females are wingless and ant-like, while males are winged. Notable features include the mid tibia, with female specimens showing either one or two spurs, and variations in the hypostomal bridge and propodeum characteristics.

Identification Tips

Key to identification involves examining mid tibia spur count, hypostomal bridge length relative to the first antennomere, and structural features of the propodeum and pronotum. Males can be identified by pterostigma presence and forewing cell structures.

Habitat

Primarily found in southern regions including Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona, and California, mainly in association with their host species.

Distribution

Southern regions of the USA (FL, TX, OK, AZ, CA).

Diet

Larvae are ectoparasitoids of nymphal webspinners, developing within host galleries. The larva attaches to the host, consumes it, then detaches to pupate.

Life Cycle

The female oviposits an egg on the abdomen of a host, and after the larva emerges, it attaches to the host to consume it before spinning a cocoon.

Reproduction

Female wasps lay eggs on the abdomen of Embioptera hosts. After consuming the host, the larva detaches to pupate.

Ecosystem Role

Ectoparasitoids, playing a role in controlling webspinner populations.

Evolution

Includes both extant and extinct genera, with fossils found in amber from various geological periods.