Proctotrupidae

Genus Guides

is a of small in the superfamily Proctotrupoidea, comprising approximately 400 described across more than 30 with an estimated total diversity of around 675-1200 species. Members are primarily endoparasitoids of coleopteran larvae, particularly in families Carabidae, Staphylinidae, and Elateridae, though some genera parasitize fungus gnats (Mycetophilidae, Sciaridae) and concealer moths (Oecophoridae). Females in many species are wingless and soil-dwelling, capable of detecting larvae in burrows. The family has a distribution with notable Gondwanan relict elements in the Austroserphinae.

Exallonyx by (c) Alan Manson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alan Manson. Used under a CC-BY license.

Proctotrupidae by (c) Mike Bowie, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Mike Bowie. Used under a CC-BY license.

Proctotrupidae by (c) Steve Kerr, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Kerr. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Proctotrupidae: /ˌprɒktoʊˈtruːpɪdiː/

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Identification

Distinguished from other Proctotrupoidea by combination of: wing venation with M arising close and to 1cu-a; Cu and m-cu joining at distance equal to length of 2cu-a; presence of long, sword-shaped ovipositor in some ; wingless females in soil-dwelling . Austroserphinae represents primitive lineage with Gondwanan distribution. Separation from Ceraphronidae and other proctotrupoid requires examination of wing venation and metasomal structure.

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Appearance

Small with body length typically 5-8 mm, ranging from 3 to 15 mm. Many have wingless females adapted for soil-dwelling. Long, sword-shaped ovipositor present in some , up to twice the length of the metasoma. Wing venation diagnostic: M arises very close and to 1cu-a; Cu and m-cu joining at distance equivalent to length of 2cu-a.

Habitat

Forest , particularly Nothofagus forests in southern South America and northern Iran. Soil and leaf litter , especially where larvae occur in burrows. Open mixed forest with old and young trees; glacially fragmented landscapes. Elevations 722-1495 m a.s.l. in sampled regions.

Distribution

: Palaearctic, Nearctic, Oriental, and Australasian regions. Southernmost record at ~55°S in Chile (Isla Navarino). Documented in Iran (Alborz, Tehran, Qazvin, Mazandaran, Gilan, Fars, Hormozgan, Khuzestan, Markazi, Golestan provinces), New Zealand, and southernmost South America. Distribution records from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

Seasonality

collected March through November in northern hemisphere; austral summer activity in southern South America.

Diet

Larval endoparasitoids primarily of Coleoptera larvae, specifically Carabidae, Staphylinidae, Elateridae, Curculionidae, Anthribidae, Coccinellidae, Cleridae, Erotylidae, Melandryidae, Nitidulidae, and Phalacridae. Some parasitize Diptera (Mycetophilidae, Sciaridae) or Lepidoptera (Oecophoridae: Tingena spp.). One record from Chilopoda (Lithobiidae).

Host Associations

Coleoptera: Carabidae - larval endoparasitoidprimary
Coleoptera: Staphylinidae - larval endoparasitoidprimary
Coleoptera: Elateridae - larval endoparasitoidprimary
Coleoptera: Curculionidae - larval endoparasitoid
Coleoptera: Anthribidae - larval endoparasitoid
Coleoptera: Coccinellidae - larval endoparasitoid
Coleoptera: Cleridae - larval endoparasitoid
Coleoptera: Erotylidae - larval endoparasitoid
Coleoptera: Melandryidae - larval endoparasitoid
Coleoptera: Nitidulidae - larval endoparasitoid
Coleoptera: Phalacridae - larval endoparasitoid
Diptera: Mycetophilidae - larval endoparasitoidsome
Diptera: Sciaridae - larval endoparasitoidsome
Lepidoptera: Oecophoridae - larval endoparasitoidFustiserphus intrudens on Tingena spp.
Chilopoda: Lithobiidae - larval endoparasitoidsingle record

Life Cycle

Endoparasitoid development within larvae. Oviposition via ovipositor into host; ovipositor pointed, without notch, with only 10% exposed in some . with separate sexes.

Behavior

Wingless females dwell in soil and detect larvae in burrows. collected using light traps, sweeping nets, and . One observed flying during afternoon of austral summer.

Ecological Role

agents of coleopteran and dipteran larvae in forest . of soil-dwelling and leaf-litter inhabiting beetles and other .

Human Relevance

Potential agents for pest beetles and fungus gnats. No documented negative impacts.

Similar Taxa

CeraphronidaeDifferent wing venation and metasomal structure; distinguished by M position relative to 1cu-a
PlatygastridaeFormerly included in Proctotrupoidea but now separate superfamily Platygastroidea; different associations and
ScelionidaeDifferent wing venation and typically parasitize rather than larvae

More Details

Taxonomic notes

Austroserphinae represents a primitive Gondwanan lineage distributed in Oceania and South America, with Austrocodrus gladiogeminus holding the southernmost distribution of any proctotrupid at nearly 55°S. The Pschornia was first recorded from Iran in 2022 with description of new P. persica.

Research gaps

of many remains unknown, including all newly described species. associations for Austroserphinae not documented. Male of Austrocodrus gladiogeminus unknown.