Orthopelmatinae
Genus Guides
1Orthopelmatinae is a monogeneric of Ichneumonidae containing only the Orthopelma. Members are Holarctic idiobiont endoparasitoids specialized on cynipid gall wasps, primarily Diplolepis on roses. The subfamily exhibits the rare -larval strategy, with females ovipositing directly into eggs.

Pronunciation
How to pronounce Orthopelmatinae: /ɔɹθoʊˌpɛlməˈtaɪni/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Images
Habitat
Associated with cynipid galls on Rosaceae, particularly rose galls induced by Diplolepis . Larval development occurs within galls.
Distribution
Holarctic distribution. Documented from northern Germany (Schleswig-Holstein), China, and broader East Asia.
Host Associations
- Diplolepis spp. - primary rose gall wasps, Hymenoptera: Diplolepididae
- Diastrophus - recorded on Rubus in Nearctic, per iNaturalist
Life Cycle
-larval : females oviposit into eggs. Larval stage overwinters within host galls. Development completes inside the gall structure.
Behavior
-searching has been observed in . Host-feeding by adults has been documented.
Ecological Role
Idiobiont endoparasitoid of cynipid gall wasps. Regulates of gall-forming insects on Rosaceae.
Similar Taxa
- CtenopelmatinaeBoth are of Ichneumonidae with lifestyles; Trematopygus vellicarius (Ctenopelmatinae) shares the rare -oviposition strategy with Orthopelma
- other Ichneumonidae subfamiliesOrthopelmatinae is distinguished by its monogeneric status, specialized association with cynipid galls on Rosaceae, and documented -larval strategy
Sources and further reading
- BugGuide
- iNaturalist taxon
- NCBI Taxonomy
- A new species of the genus Orthopelma (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Orthopelmatinae) from China
- On the biology of two parasitoids of rose gall wasps (Diplolepis spp. (Hymenoptera: Diplolepididae)), Orthopelma mediator (Thunberg, 1822) and Orthopelma brevicorne Morley, 1907 (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Orthopelmatinae), with a world list of Ichneumonidae known to oviposit into the host egg