Evanioidea
Guides
Aulacus brevicaudus
Aulacus brevicaudus is a species of parasitoid wasp in the family Aulacidae, a group often overlooked due to their resemblance to ichneumon wasps. The genus Aulacus comprises generally smaller species compared to the related genus Pristaulacus. Like other aulacids, this species is associated with wood-boring beetle hosts. Aulacidae as a family contains two genera and approximately 185 species globally, with 32 species recorded in North America.
Aulacus dispilis
Aulacus dispilis is a species of parasitoid wasp in the family Aulacidae, first described by Townes in 1950. The genus Aulacus comprises smaller species compared to the related genus Pristaulacus. Aulacid wasps are known parasitoids of wood-boring beetle larvae, particularly Cerambycidae (longhorned beetles) and Buprestidae (jewel beetles), as well as larval wood wasps in Xiphydriidae. Like other aulacids, this species is seldom encountered due to its specialized habitat associations with recently cut or damaged wood.
Evaniidae
ensign wasps, nightshade wasps, hatchet wasps, cockroach egg parasitoid wasps
Evaniidae is a family of solitary parasitoid wasps commonly known as ensign wasps, nightshade wasps, or hatchet wasps. The family comprises approximately 20 extant genera containing over 400 described species, with a nearly cosmopolitan distribution excluding polar regions. Evaniidae are immediately distinctive among Hymenoptera due to their unique morphology: the metasoma (abdomen) is attached very high on the propodeum, well above the hind coxae, and is connected by a long, one-segmented, tube-like petiole. The common name "ensign wasp" derives from the characteristic habit of these wasps to jerk their small, flag-like metasoma up and down while walking. All known evaniid larvae are specialized parasitoids that develop inside the egg cases (oothecae) of cockroaches (Blattodea), consuming the host eggs.
Gasteruptiidae
Carrot Wasps
Gasteruptiidae is a family of apocritan wasps comprising approximately 500 species in two subfamilies (Gasteruptiinae and Hyptiogastrinae) and six extant genera worldwide. Members are commonly known as "carrot wasps" due to their slender, elongated bodies and frequent association with umbelliferous flowers. The family is characterized by a pronounced elongated "neck" (propleura) between the head and thorax, a petiole attached high on the propodeum, and notably swollen, club-like hind tibiae. These wasps are parasitoids or predator-inquilines of solitary bees and wasps, with females using their long ovipositors to deposit eggs in host nests.
Pristaulacus melleus
Pristaulacus melleus is a species of aulacid wasp in the family Aulacidae. It is found in North America. Aulacid wasps are parasitoids of wood-boring beetle larvae, particularly longhorned beetles (Cerambycidae) and jewel beetles (Buprestidae), as well as wood wasp larvae (Xiphydriidae). Females locate hosts by probing bark crevices with their antennae and deposit eggs using a downcurved ovipositor.
Pristaulacus minor
Pristaulacus minor is a species of aulacid wasp in the family Aulacidae. Like other members of its genus, it is a parasitoid wasp associated with wood-boring beetles. The species is found in North America, with records from Canada including British Columbia.
Pristaulacus montanus
Pristaulacus montanus is a species of aulacid wasp in the family Aulacidae. Aulacid wasps are parasitoids of wood-boring beetle larvae, particularly longhorned beetles (Cerambycidae) and jewel beetles (Buprestidae). The species occurs in North America, with records from Canada including British Columbia. Aulacids are often mistaken for ichneumon wasps due to their superficial resemblance, but can be distinguished by the high attachment of the abdomen on the thorax and a downcurved ovipositor tip.
Pristaulacus niger
Pristaulacus niger is a species of aulacid wasp found in North America. Aulacid wasps are parasitoids of wood-boring beetle larvae, particularly longhorned beetles (Cerambycidae) and jewel beetles (Buprestidae). They are often overlooked due to their superficial resemblance to ichneumon wasps. The genus Pristaulacus includes some of the larger species in the family Aulacidae.