Ceraphronoidea
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Ceraphron
Ceraphron is a genus of small parasitoid wasps in the family Ceraphronidae, superfamily Ceraphronoidea. These wasps are among the least known members of the Hymenoptera, with very little published information on their biology, ecology, or host associations. The genus serves as the type genus for both its family and superfamily. Ceraphron species are morphologically diverse and have proven difficult to characterize using standard DNA barcoding methods due to their unusual molecular properties.
Ceraphronidae
ceraphronid wasps, ceraphronids
Ceraphronidae is a small family of parasitoid wasps in the superfamily Ceraphronoidea, containing approximately 14 genera and 360 described species, though many remain undescribed. The family is poorly known taxonomically and ecologically. Most species are believed to be primary parasitoids, particularly of flies, with some functioning as hyperparasitoids of other parasitoids. A significant number of species are found in soil, and winglessness has evolved in multiple lineages.
Dendrocerus conwentziae
Dendrocerus conwentziae is a species of megaspilid wasp in the family Megaspilidae. It was described by Gahan in 1919 and occurs across North America from southern Mexico to southern Canada. As a member of the superfamily Ceraphronoidea, it belongs to a group of small parasitoid wasps. The species is part of a genus that contains multiple species, though specific biological details for this particular species remain limited in the available literature.
Lagynodes acuticornis
Lagynodes acuticornis is a species of parasitoid wasp in the family Megaspilidae, first described by Kieffer in 1906. The species belongs to a small family of tiny wasps (typically 1–4 mm) that are understudied and poorly known ecologically. Megaspilids are generally internal parasitoids of other insects, though specific host associations for most species remain undocumented. The genus Lagynodes is distinguished by reduced wing venation and distinctive antennal morphology.
Megaspilidae
Megaspilidae is a small family of parasitoid wasps in the superfamily Ceraphronoidea, comprising approximately 450 described species across 13 genera in two subfamilies. The family remains poorly known biologically, though most species are believed to be parasitoids of sternorrhynchan Hemiptera (particularly aphids), with some functioning as hyperparasitoids attacking other parasitoids. Many species inhabit soil, and several are wingless. The largest genus is Dendrocerus, followed by Conostigmus.
Megaspilus
Megaspilus is a genus of minute parasitoid wasps in the family Megaspilidae, characterized by reduced wing venation and distinctive body sculpturing. The genus includes three described species: M. armatus, M. dux, and M. striolatus. These wasps are part of the superfamily Ceraphronoidea, a group of small, often overlooked parasitoids.