Hymenoptera

Guides

Meringopus relativus
Meringopus relativus is a species of ichneumon wasp described by Cresson in 1879. The species belongs to the genus Meringopus, a group of parasitoid wasps within the large family Ichneumonidae. Records indicate occurrence in southern Alberta, Canada.
parasitoid-wasp Ichneumonidae Hymenoptera Canada Alberta
Merismus megapterus
Merismus megapterus is a species of parasitic wasp in the family Pteromalidae, first described by Francis Walker in 1833. The species belongs to the subfamily Miscogastrinae and tribe Sphegigastrini. It is a member of the chalcidoid wasps, a diverse group of mostly minute parasitoids. The specific epithet "megapterus" (Greek for "large wing") may refer to relatively prominent wing features compared to congeners. Distribution records indicate presence across parts of Europe and East Asia.
parasitoid chalcidoid Pteromalidae Hymenoptera
Mesoplia dugesi
Mesoplia dugesi is a species of bee in the family Apidae, tribe Ericrocidini. It was described by Cockerell in 1917. The species has a restricted distribution in the southwestern United States and Mexico, with confirmed records from Arizona and adjacent Mexican states. As a member of the cleptoparasitic tribe Ericrocidini, it is presumed to exhibit nest parasitism behavior targeting other bee species, though specific host associations remain undocumented.
bee cleptoparasite Ericrocidini Apidae Hymenoptera Southwestern-United-States Mexico Arizona Sonoran-Desert rare poorly-known
Mesostenus gracilis
Mesostenus gracilis is a small ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae, first described by Cresson in 1864. The species is a parasitoid wasp known to attack caterpillars of several moth families, particularly those that bore into stems, shoots, or bark. It has been recorded from Canada and the United States, with observations in sunflower fields and other habitats. The species is one of approximately ten Mesostenus species occurring in North America north of Mexico.
parasitoid ichneumon-wasp biological-control sunflower-pest stored-product-pest Hymenoptera
Messatoporus compressicornis
Messatoporus compressicornis is a species of ichneumonid wasp described by Cushman in 1929. It belongs to the genus Messatoporus, a group within the large family Ichneumonidae. The species name compressicornis refers to the compressed or flattened antennae characteristic of this taxon. As with most ichneumonid wasps, this species is presumed to be parasitoid, though specific host associations remain poorly documented. The species has been recorded in entomological collections and has 35 observations on iNaturalist, indicating it is encountered with some regularity by field entomologists.
Hymenoptera Ichneumonidae parasitoid-wasp compressicornis-group Cushman-1929
Messatoporus rufiventris
Messatoporus rufiventris Cushman, 1929 is a species of ichneumon wasp in the subfamily Cryptinae. It was originally described as a valid species but has been synonymized under Messatoporus discoidalis (Cresson) based on a 2013 revision of the genus. The genus Messatoporus is a large New World group containing 89 recognized species, characterized by distinctive morphological features including a long tapered mandible with reduced ventral tooth and a specialized ovipositor structure. No specific biological or ecological data has been documented for M. rufiventris itself.
Hymenoptera Ichneumonidae Cryptinae parasitoid-wasp synonym New-World Neotropical
Metaclisis floridana
Metaclisis floridana is a species of parasitoid wasp in the family Platygastridae. The species was originally described by Ashmead in 1887 and was later redescribed as part of a comprehensive revision of Nearctic Metaclisis species. The male of this species was described for the first time in this revision. The genus Metaclisis belongs to the subfamily Platygastrinae and comprises 18 recognized Nearctic species, 16 of which were newly described in the same revision.
parasitoid wasps platygastridae hymenoptera nearctic inostemmatinae platygastrinae
Metanotalia
Metanotalia is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Encyrtidae, established by Mercet in 1921. The genus belongs to the subfamily Encyrtinae and is characterized by features of the mesosoma and metanotum. The type species, Metanotalia maderensis (Walker), was originally described from Madeira. Members of this genus are parasitoids, though specific host associations remain poorly documented in published literature.
Encyrtidae parasitoid Hymenoptera Chalcidoidea Mercet-1921 Madeira
Metanotalia maderensis
Metanotalia maderensis is a species of parasitoid wasp in the family Encyrtidae, originally described by Walker in 1872 as Ectroma maderense. It is endemic to the Madeira archipelago in the North Atlantic Ocean. The genus Metanotalia is a small group within the Encyrtidae, a family known for their role as parasitoids of scale insects and other hemipteran pests. Specimens of this species are held in the University of California, Riverside (UCR) Encyrtidae collection, one of the largest collections of this family globally.
endemic Madeira parasitoid-wasp Encyrtidae Hymenoptera Walker-1872 Ectroma-maderense
Metaphycus
Metaphycus is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Encyrtidae, established by Mercet in 1917. The genus has cosmopolitan distribution and comprises numerous species that are important biological control agents, particularly of scale insects (Coccoidea). Species such as Metaphycus helvolus and M. luteolus have been widely used in classical biological control programs against soft scale pests in agriculture.
parasitoid biological-control scale-insect Coccoidea Hymenoptera Encyrtidae agricultural-pest-management
Meteorus
Meteorus is a large genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Braconidae, comprising over 330 described species worldwide. These wasps are distinguished from other braconids by two key morphological features: a second submarginal cell in the forewing and a petiolate (stalked) first tergite. The genus includes species with remarkable behavioral adaptations, such as Meteorus stellatus, which constructs star-shaped communal cocoon masses suspended by threads up to 1 meter long. Meteorus species function as biological control agents, parasitizing diverse host insects including caterpillars of moths and beetles.
parasitoid biocontrol Braconidae Hymenoptera cocoon gregarious
Meteorus rubens
Meteorus rubens is a gregarious larval parasitoid wasp in the family Braconidae that attacks significant agricultural pests, particularly the black cutworm (Agrotis ipsilon). Female wasps demonstrate strong attraction to host kairomones, with 94.3% responding to hexane extracts of their host compared to only 22.3% of males. The species has been shown to carry Rioviridae RNA viruses, a rare trait among parasitoids. It naturally coexists with other parasitoids such as Apanteles ruficrus, with which it exhibits niche partitioning based on host instar preference.
parasitoid biological-control Braconidae Agrotis-ipsilon kairomone gregarious agricultural-pest Hymenoptera
Mexalictus arizonensis
Arizona mexalictus
Mexalictus arizonensis, commonly known as the Arizona mexalictus, is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae. It is a small, solitary bee endemic to the southwestern United States. The species was described by Eickwort in 1978 and is one of the few members of the genus Mexalictus, a group of bees restricted to North America. Like other halictids, it is likely a generalist pollinator, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
bee halictid sweat-bee solitary-bee pollinator southwestern-US Arizona endemic Hymenoptera Halictidae Mexalictus rare poorly-known Eickwort-1978
Microchridium
Microchridium is a genus of cuckoo wasps in the family Chrysididae, established by Bohart in 1980. It belongs to the order Hymenoptera, a group that includes wasps, bees, and ants. As with other chrysidids, members of this genus are likely cleptoparasitic, laying eggs in the nests of other wasps or bees. The genus is poorly known, with minimal published information and very few observations documented. Its taxonomic status is marked as doubtful in some databases, indicating potential issues with its validity or circumscription.
chrysididae hymenoptera cuckoo-wasp cleptoparasite rarely-observed taxon-status-doubtful monotypic-or-oligotypic bohart-1980
Microctonus pilatus
Microctonus pilatus is a species of parasitoid wasp in the family Braconidae, subfamily Euphorinae. Members of this genus are known as parasitoids of adult beetles, particularly weevils (Curculionidae). The species was described within the genus Microctonus, which has been subject to taxonomic revision and includes species used in biological control programs. Specific details about M. pilatus itself remain limited in published literature.
parasitoid braconidae euphorinae weevil-parasitoid hymenoptera
Microterys
Microterys is a large genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Encyrtidae (Chalcidoidea), with its center of distribution in the northern parts of the Northern Hemisphere. Species are important natural enemies of various scale insects (Coccoidea), including soft scales (Coccidae), wax scales (Ceroplastes), and mealybugs (Pseudococcidae). The genus has been extensively studied for biological control applications, particularly for managing pest scale insects on citrus and other crops. Several species have been introduced to new regions as biocontrol agents, including Microterys flavus in California.
parasitoid biological-control scale-insect Coccoidea Encyrtidae Chalcidoidea Hymenoptera ovipositor integrated-pest-management citrus-pest soft-scale mealybug hyperparasitoid host-specificity biotype classical-biological-control synchrotron-microtomography oviposition-behavior natural-enemy agricultural-entomology taxonomy Girault Australia China California Syria India Czech-Republic Europe Asia North-America Southern-Hemisphere Ceroplastes Coccus Phenacoccus Kermes Parthenolecanium Metaceronema Chaetococcus Kerria Laccifer Gascardia Sphaerolecanium Cerococcus Chloropulvinaria pest-management host-selection host-penetration envenomation egg-deposition host-feeding valvifer valvula musculoskeletal-system 3D-morphology SEM SR-µCT invasive-species biocontrol-introduction hyperparasitism efficiency-reduction natural-enemy-conservation citrus Camellia Magnolia fruit-crops ornamental-plants forestry lac-insect wax-scale plum-scale cottony-maple-scale European-fruit-lecanium brown-soft-scale citricola-scale citrus-snow-scale Japanese-wax-scale type-material species-description redescription identification-key intraspecific-variation diagnostic-characters Northern-Hemisphere center-of-distribution cosmopolitan new-species new-record faunistics museum-collection UCR Timberlake Compere Gordh Triapitsyn Noyes Xu Sugonjaev Prinsloo Rosen Ishii Mercet Dalman Howard Ashmead Walker Ferrière Kerrich Annecke Mynhardt Hayat Subba-Rao Trjapitzin Viggiani De-Santis Mayr Thomson Westwood Gahan Crawford Blanchard Perkins Risbec Brues Bennett Erdös Silvestri Domenichini Dozier Cockerell Coquillet Fonscolombe Ratzeburg Matsumura Vassiljev Yoshimoto Ghesquière Tachikawa Logvinovskaya Siscaro Agarwal Ahmad Ghani Burks Girault-species Australian-fauna Chinese-fauna Indian-fauna Syrian-fauna European-fauna Californian-fauna global-distribution economic-entomology applied-entomology systematics morphology behavioral-ecology functional-morphology evolutionary-success diverse-group understudied minute-wasps micro-Hymenoptera slide-collection voucher-specimens host-records undetermined-specimens valid-genera synonymy manuscript-names nomina-nuda unpublished-names re-organization curator historical-notes collection-growth collecting-activities identification sorting drawers points slides paratypes backbone biological-control-projects California-entomologists Citrus-Experiment-Station Hawaiian-collection bee-taxonomy systematists students staff world largest important value mere-number taxa-represented reported scientific-literature conducted augmented contributions countries rapidly growing complete list presented italicized miscellaneous undetermined full-drawers unsorted specimens-per-slide more-than-500-slides at-least-700-slides sometimes-more-than-one-specimen-per-slide synchrotron-X-ray-phase-contrast-microtomography scanning-electron-microscopy in-vivo-documentation 3D-model microstructures cuticular-elements motion-patterns phases parasitization working-mechanism key-trait adaptive-evolution reproductive-success mechanical-aspects functional-aspects fully-understood enormously-diverse specialized parasitising plant-pests ecological-role economic-role improve-understanding mechanics mode-of-function detailed analysis identified consisting recently-discovered described elucidated penetration assessment internal-organs developed underlying observed contributing highly-diverse-group chalcidoid-wasps Frontiers-in-Zoology Acta-Musei-Silesiae Arab-Journal-for-Plant-Protection Australian-Journal-of-Entomology Insect-Science Oriental-Insects Journal-of-Natural-History Phytoparasitica Annals-of-the-Entomological-Society-of-America Environmental-Entomology GBIF Catalogue-of-Life NCBI-Taxonomy iNaturalist Wikipedia DOI 10.1186/s12983-025-00575-1 10.2478/cszma-2021-0007 10.22268/AJPP-41.3.292305 10.1111/j.1440-6055.1975.tb02058.x 10.1111/j.1744-7917.2000.tb00345.x 10.1080/00305316.2011.646827 10.1111/j.1440-6055.1973.tb01670.x 10.1080/00222933.2020.1786608 10.1007/s12600-019-00727-0 10.1007/s12600-018-0691-5 10.1093/aesa/54.2.222 10.1093/ee/7.6.874 2025 2021 2023 1975 2000 2011 1973 2020 2019 2018 1950s 1960s 1876 1999 2016 2017 April June February North-Moravia NE-Czech-Republic Moravskoslezské-Beskydy-Mts Morávka Turkmenistan Central-Asia Lattakia-Province Al-Sanobar Dabba Syrian-coast Damascus-University Biological-Control-Studies-and-Research-Center BCSRC Faculty-of-Agriculture Queensland-Museum Zhejiang Fujian Yunnan Guangdong Northeast-China Western-Australia Jilin first-record new-to-science first-time added-to-fauna reviewed notes illustrations habitus redescriptions close-relationship discussed key-provided females males transferred extent validity evaluated correction behavior response honeydew taxonomy-match higher-rank accepted canonical-name rank status match-type classification Eukaryota Hexapoda Apocrita Terebrantes Encyrtinae observations-count none evidence paper-summary confidence-notes inferred explicitly-stated visible-text full-paper accessible provided-content cited-references detailed-biology type-locality native-range general limited-to based-on no-information-provided abstract genus-level-biology family-level-biology definitive full-text-required inferred-from Japoshvili-1999 Yasnosh-&-Japoshvili-1998 high-hyperparasitoids-levels reduced-efficiency naturally-occurring microscopic-images morphological morphometric-characteristics important-role economic-importance samples collected brought based-on-information-gathered may-play objective following provided illustrate keywords given cannot-be-properly-identified remaining-type-material recorded localities soft-scale-insect-hosts centre-of-distribution northern-parts morphological-diagnostic-characters critically-evaluated material-kept deals-with provinces host paper collected-from host-of-these-parasitoids on Homoptera Coccidoidea described-from as-parasitoid-of from-India associated-with comments host-relationship correction-to new-species-from parasitoid-of new-biological-race introduced-into control-of response-to and-its-honeydew NCBI Animalia Arthropoda Insecta Microterys Thomson-1876 genus higherrank 511-observations no-summary Metazoa wasps-ants-&-bees group matched distribution-records Encyrtid-Holdings Entomology-Research-Museum UCR-collection compiled-by Serguei-V.-Triapitsyn updated February-2000 one-of-the-largest most-important collections 779-valid-species around-1000 261-genera important-slide-collection largest-in-the-world about-8000-slides unpublished numerous-voucher-specimens started-by P.H.-Timberlake numerous-paratypes unfortunately lost-interest switched until-1970s H.-Compere notable-contributions P.-Timberlake J.-Maple P.-DeBach C.-Clausen 1970s-1980s G.-Gordh J.-LaSalle J.-Woolley J.-Pinto J.-Beardsley Mexico US other-countries presently growing-rapidly J.-Heraty majority V.-Trjapitzin J.-Noyes complete-re-organization S.-Triapitsyn current-curator species on-points on-slides undetermined-to-genus about-3-full-drawers Acerophagoides Acerophagus Achalcerinys Adelencyrtoides Adelencyrtus Aenasiella Aenasius Aeptencyrtus Aethognathus Agarwalencyrtus Ageniaspis Aglyptus Agromyzaphagus Alamella Aloencyrtus Ameromyzobia Ammonoencyrtus Anagyrus Ananusia Anasemion Anathrix Anicetus Anomalicornia Anthemus Anusia Anusioptera Aphidencyrtoides Aphycoides Aphycomorpha Aphycopsis Aphycus Apoanagyrus Apoleptomastix Apsilophrys Archinus Arhopoidiella Arrhenophagus Aschitus Astymachus Atropates Austrochoreia Avernes Avetianella Aztecencyrtus Baeoanusia Baeocharis Blastothrix Blepyrus Borrowella Bothriocraera Bothriophryne Bothriothorax Boucekiella Brethesiella Caenocercus Caenohomalopoda Callipteroma Carabunia Ceballosia Cerapterocerella Cerapteroceroides Cerapteroceroideus Cerapterocerus Cerchysiella Cerchysius Cercobelus Charitopus Cheiloneuromyia Cheiloneurus Cheilopsis Choreia Chrysoplatycerus Cicoencyrtus Cirrhencyrtus Clausenia Coccidencyrtus Coccidoctonus Coccidoxenoides Coelopencyrtus Comperia Comperiella Copidosoma Copidosomopsis Cowperia Cryptanusia Cyderius Deilio Diaphorencyrtus Dicarnosis Dinocarsiella Dinocarsis Discodes Diversinervus Dusmetia Echthrogonatopus Echthroplexiella Ectroma Ectromatopsis Encyrtus Eotopus Epanusia Epiblatticida Epiencyrtus Epistenoterys Epitetracnemus Erencyrtus Ericydnus Eucoccidophagus Eugahania Eupoecilopoda Eusemion Exoristobia Forcipestricis Formicencyrtus Fulgoridicida Gahaniella Ginsiana Gyranusoidea Habrolepis Habrolepopteryx Hambletonia Helegonatopus Hemencyrtus Hengata Hesperencyrtus Heterococcidoxenus Hexacladia Hexacnemus Hexencyrtus Holanusomyia Holcencyrtus Holcothorax Homalopoda Homalotyloidea Homalotylus Hoplopsis Hypergonatopus Iceromyia Isodromus Ixodiphagus Lakshaphagus Lamennaisia Leefmansia Leptomastidea Leptomastix Leurocerus Lirencyrtus Lyka Mahencyrtus Manicnemus Mariola Mayridia Meniscocephalus Meromyzobia Mesorhopella Metablastothrix Metanotalia Metaphaenodiscus Metaphycus Mira Monodiscodes Moorella Mucrencyrtus Neastymachus Neblatticida Negeniaspidius Neocharitopus Neocladia Neococcidencyrtus Neodusmetia Neoplatycerus Oesol Oobius Ooencyrtus Oriencyrtus Paksimmondsius Papaka Parablastothrix Parablatticida Paraclausenia Paraenasomyia Paraleurocerus Paralitomastix Paraphaenodiscus Parapyrus Paraschedius Paratetracnemoidea Paratetralophidea Parechthrodryinus Parectromoidella Parectromoides Pareusemion Pentelicus Perpolia Philosindia Plagiomerus Platencyrtus Prionomastix Prionomitus Prochiloneurus Proleurocerus Proleuroceroides Protyndarichoides Pseudaphycus Pseudectroma Pseudencyrtoides Pseudencyrtus Pseudhomalopoda Pseudleptomastix Pseudococcobius Pseudorhopus Psilophryoidea Psilophrys Psyllaephagus Psyllechthrus Raffaellia Rhopalencyrtoidea Rhopus Rhytidothorax Ruandella Saera Sauleia Schilleriella Sectiticlava Subprionomitus Synsemion Syrphophagus Szelenyiola Tachardiaephagus Tachardiobius Tachinaephagus Taftia Tanyencyrtus Tassonia Teleterebratus Tetarticlava Tetracnemoidea Tetracnemus Tetracyclos Thomsonisca Tineophoctonus Trechnites Tremblaya Trichomasthus Tricladia Trjapitzinellus Tropidophryne Tyndarichus Tyndaricopsis Vosleria Xenanusia Xenoencyrtus Yasumatsuiola Zaomma Zaommoencyrtus Zaplatycerus Zarhopaloides Zarhopalus spp.sp.sp(p).?nr.ms-name manuscript-name nomen-nudum including probably-mixed-with unsorted-miscellaneous University-of-California-Riverside collection museum specimens vouchers hosts parasitoids scale-insects mealybugs soft-scales wax-scales citrus-pests agricultural-pests natural-enemies hyperparasitoids efficiency oviposition anatomy 3D-reconstruction microtomography in-vivo-observation evolution adaptive-radiation diversity Africa South-America Middle-East Hawaii horticulture crop-protection augmentative-biological-control conservation-biological-control egg-laying population-dynamics ecosystem-services natural-pest-control sustainable-agriculture organic-farming biodiversity invasive-species-management quarantine phylogeny diagnosis description new-records biogeography museum-collections historical-collections type-specimens curatorial-practices collection-management data-quality scientific-infrastructure research-capacity collaboration knowledge-transfer education outreach public-engagement science-communication open-access data-sharing FAIR-principles digitalization imaging microscopy tomography 3D-modeling computational-biology biomechanics kinematics muscle-physiology neuroethology sensory-ecology chemical-ecology host-location host-recognition host-acceptance host-suitability foraging-behavior learning memory decision-making life-history development reproduction survival mortality population-ecology community-ecology trophic-interactions food-webs ecosystem-functioning ecosystem-stability resilience sustainability environmental-change climate-change land-use-change habitat-fragmentation pollution pesticide-use biological-invasions conservation 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Microtypinae
Microtypinae is a subfamily of parasitoid wasps within Braconidae. The subfamily contains a single genus, Microtypus Ratzeburg, with at least four described species. Iranian records include Microtypus trigonus (Nees, 1843), documented as a new country record. Host associations have been recorded for species in this subfamily.
Braconidae parasitoid-wasps Hymenoptera Iran-fauna Microtypus monotypic-subfamily
Miota
Miota is a genus of small parasitoid wasps in the family Diapriidae. These insects are part of the diverse Hymenoptera fauna associated with decomposition and nutrient cycling. The genus was described by Förster in 1856. Species in this genus are poorly known, with limited published biological information available.
hymenoptera diapriidae parasitoid minute-wasps palearctic decay-associated
Mira mucora
Mira mucora is a species of parasitoid wasp in the family Encyrtidae, subfamily Tetracneminae. It was described by Schellenberg in 1803, making it one of the earlier described species in this family. The genus Mira is a small genus within the Encyrtidae, a family known for their role as parasitoids of scale insects and other homopteran pests. Specimens of this species are present in major entomological collections including the University of California, Riverside Encyrtidae holdings.
parasitoid-wasp Encyrtidae Tetracneminae Hymenoptera insect entomology taxonomy Schellenberg-1803
Mirax
miracine wasps
Mirax is a genus of tiny parasitoid wasps in the subfamily Miracinae (Braconidae). Species are typically 1–2 mm in length and are koinobiont endoparasitoids of leaf-mining caterpillars. The genus has been documented in Australia, Puerto Rico, and other regions, with several species described through citizen science initiatives. Some species, such as Mirax insularis, have been studied for their potential as biological control agents of agricultural pests.
parasitoid-wasp biocontrol leaf-miner citizen-science koinobiont agricultural-pest-management Hymenoptera Braconidae Miracinae Australia Puerto-Rico coffee-pest endoparasitoid
Miscophini
square-headed wasps
Miscophini is a tribe of solitary wasps in the family Crabronidae, commonly known as square-headed wasps. The tribe comprises approximately 17 genera and at least 570 described species. These wasps are part of the diverse crabronid wasp fauna and are characterized by their distinctive head shape.
square-headed-wasps solitary-wasps Crabronidae predatory-wasps Hymenoptera
Mnioes lunatus
Mnioes lunatus is a species of ichneumonid wasp described by Kennedy in 1966. It belongs to the large and diverse family Ichneumonidae, which comprises parasitoid wasps that attack other insects. Very little published information exists on the specific biology or host relationships of this species.
Ichneumonidae parasitoid-wasp Hymenoptera
Monobia arizonensis
Monobia arizonensis is a species of mason wasp in the subfamily Eumeninae. Like other members of the genus Monobia, it is presumed to be a solitary wasp that utilizes pre-existing cavities for nesting. The species is native to the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona. Very little specific information has been published about its biology compared to the better-known congener Monobia quadridens.
mason-wasp solitary-wasp eumeninae vespidae hymenoptera arizona southwestern-united-states cavity-nester predatory-wasp
Monoctenus
Monoctenus is a genus of conifer-feeding sawflies in the family Diprionidae, established by Dahlbom in 1835. The genus includes at least two recognized species: M. juniperi and M. obscuratus. These sawflies are associated with juniper hosts and have been recorded from Europe and North America.
sawfly conifer-feeding juniper Diprionidae herbivore Hymenoptera
Monoctonina
Monoctonina is a subtribe of aphid parasitoid wasps within the subfamily Aphidiinae (Braconidae). Members are small parasitic wasps that develop within aphid hosts, eventually killing them. The subtribe includes genera such as Monoctonus and Falciconus, with species documented from high-elevation mountain habitats in Europe and Asia.
parasitoid aphid mountain high-elevation biological-control Hymenoptera Braconidae Aphidiinae
Monodontomerinae
Monodontomerinae is a subfamily of chalcidoid wasps within the family Torymidae, established by Ashmead in 1899. Members are small parasitoid wasps that attack the larvae of other insects, particularly those developing in plant galls. The subfamily is characterized by distinctive morphological features of the antennae and ovipositor structure. Taxonomic status has been debated, with some classifications treating it as a synonym of Toryminae.
parasitoid chalcidoid gall-associated Torymidae Hymenoptera subfamily Ashmead-1899 taxonomic-synonym
Monodontomerus
Monodontomerus is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Torymidae, distributed globally with greatest diversity in the Holarctic Region. Species in this genus are parasitoids of various insect orders, with documented associations including pollinators such as megachilid bees and other hymenopterans. Some species have economic importance as biological control agents or pests of beneficial insects. The genus includes at least 25 described species in the New World, with ongoing taxonomic revisions revealing additional diversity.
parasitoid Hymenoptera Torymidae pollinator-parasitoid invasive-species biological-control founder-effect
Monolexis fuscicornis
Monolexis fuscicornis is a parasitoid wasp in the family Braconidae, subfamily Doryctinae. It has been documented as a larva-pupa parasitoid of the wood-boring beetle Trogoxylon impressum, a pest of fig plants in Turkey. The species represents a potentially significant biological control agent for managing bostrichid beetle infestations in agricultural settings.
parasitoid biological-control agricultural-pest fig Braconidae Doryctinae Trogoxylon-impressum Turkey Hymenoptera Bostrichidae wood-boring-beetle larva-pupa-parasitoid integrated-pest-management invasive-species non-native-species agricultural-entomology pest-management biodiversity-conservation
Monomorium trageri
Monomorium trageri is a species of ant in the family Formicidae, described by DuBois in 1986. It is classified within the genus Monomorium, a diverse group of small ants commonly known as thief ants. The specific epithet honors James C. Trager, an American myrmecologist.
ant myrmecology Hymenoptera Formicidae Monomorium taxonomic-uncertainty
Mymar taprobanicum
Mymar taprobanicum is a species of fairyfly in the family Mymaridae, described by Ward in 1875 from Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon). The genus Mymar is one of the oldest-established genera in Mymaridae and serves as the type genus for the family. Mymar taprobanicum represents one of approximately 100 species currently recognized in this genus, though species-level taxonomy within Mymar remains challenging due to the minute size of these wasps and subtle morphological differences.
Mymaridae fairyfly Hymenoptera parasitoid egg-parasitoid minute-wasp Sri-Lanka Azores endemic island-fauna
Myrmecocystus mendax
honey ant, honeypot ant
Myrmecocystus mendax is a species of honeypot ant native to Mexico and the Southwestern United States. The species exhibits notable intraspecific variation in social organization: populations in the Sierra Ancha Mountains of central Arizona display primary polygyny with cooperative colony founding by multiple unrelated queens, while Chiricahua Mountains populations are predominantly monogynous with single-queen founding. Mature colonies in polygynous populations contain an average of 6.27 queens. The species produces specialized replete workers that serve as living food storage vessels.
hymenoptera formicidae myrmecocystus honeypot-ant social-insects polygyny pleometrosis intraspesific-variation arizona mexico southwestern-united-states
Myrmecocystus testaceus
Brick Honeypot Ant
Myrmecocystus testaceus is a nocturnal ant species native to the southern United States, commonly known as the Brick Honeypot Ant. As a member of the genus Myrmecocystus, it possesses the distinctive replete caste—specialized workers that store liquid food in their greatly distended abdomens, serving as living food reserves for the colony. The species nests in sandy soils and has been documented as a host for the myrmecophilous beetle Cremastocheilus.
hymenoptera formicidae formicinae honeypot-ant myrmecophile-host nocturnal sandy-habitat replete southern-united-states
Myrmica detritinodis
Eroded Ant
Myrmica detritinodis is a species of ant in the genus Myrmica, described by Emery in 1921. It belongs to the diverse and ecologically significant genus Myrmica, which includes numerous species known for their associations with various insects, including lycaenid butterflies and sawflies. The species is recognized under the common name "Eroded Ant." As with many Myrmica species, it likely participates in trophobiotic relationships, though specific ecological details for this particular species remain poorly documented in available sources.
ant Myrmica Formicidae Hymenoptera insect Eroded-Ant Myrmicinae myrmecology Emery-1921
Myrmica fracticornis
Broken-horned Ant
Myrmica fracticornis is a species of ant in the family Formicidae, first described by Auguste Forel in 1901. It belongs to the genus Myrmica, a diverse group of ants commonly known as 'stinging ants' or 'red ants.' The species is distinguished by its 'broken-horned' antennae, a trait reflected in its specific epithet. Like other Myrmica species, it is a small to medium-sized ant with a two-segmented petiole. The species has been documented through limited observations, with 14 records on iNaturalist as of the available data.
ant Myrmica Hymenoptera Formicidae data-deficient
Myrmica latifrons
Wide-faced Ant
Myrmica latifrons is a species of ant in the genus Myrmica, first described by Stärcke in 1927. The species is known by the common name "Wide-faced Ant," reflecting a distinguishing morphological feature. As a member of the Myrmicinae subfamily, it belongs to a diverse group of ants that includes many species with specialized ecological relationships. The genus Myrmica is well-known for its associations with various myrmecophilous organisms, including butterflies in the genus Maculinea.
ant Myrmica Hymenoptera Formicidae wide-faced myrmecology
Myrmica lobifrons
Lobe-fronted Ant
Myrmica lobifrons is a species of ant in the genus Myrmica, first described by Pergande in 1900. It is commonly known as the lobe-fronted ant. The species belongs to the subfamily Myrmicinae, a diverse group of ants that includes many species with specialized ecological relationships. Like other Myrmica species, M. lobifrons may participate in mutualistic or parasitic associations with other organisms, though specific documented interactions for this species are limited in the provided sources.
ant Myrmica Formicidae Myrmicinae Hymenoptera insect lobifrons Pergande-1900 Lobe-fronted-Ant
Myrmica rugiventris
Myrmica rugiventris is a species of ant in the family Formicidae, first described by Smith in 1943. It belongs to the genus Myrmica, a widespread and ecologically significant group of ants known for their associations with various myrmecophilous organisms. The species is documented in taxonomic databases but appears to have limited published biological data available.
ant Myrmica Formicidae Hymenoptera
Myrmica tahoensis
A facultatively polygynous ant species in the genus Myrmica, native to the Rocky Mountain region of North America. Population-level sex ratios show pronounced temporal variation across years, with female-biased sexual production in odd-numbered years and male-biased production in even-numbered years. Individual colonies tend to maintain consistent sex ratio patterns across consecutive years. The species has been studied primarily at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory in Colorado.
facultative-polygyny sex-ratio-variation temporal-variation Rocky-Mountains Myrmica ants hymenoptera
Myrmosa bradleyi
Myrmosa bradleyi is a species of velvet ant wasp in the family Myrmosidae. The family Myrmosidae comprises small, parasitoid wasps that are closely related to Mutillidae (true velvet ants). Species in this family are typically wingless females and winged males, with females resembling ants in their terrestrial, ground-dwelling habits. Very little specific information is available for M. bradleyi, which has been documented from only a handful of observations.
hymenoptera myrmosidae velvet-ant parasitoid rarely-observed
Myrmosinae
Myrmosinae is a subfamily of velvet ants (Mutillidae) within the order Hymenoptera. The group was historically considered primarily Holarctic in distribution, with limited representation in the Oriental Region. Recent taxonomic work has documented three new species from Thailand and Vietnam, extending the known range southeastward and establishing the first Oriental records for the genus Krombeinella. The subfamily is characterized by morphological features distinguishing it from other Mutillidae, with keys available for Old World genus identification.
Hymenoptera Mutillidae velvet-ants taxonomy Oriental-Region Southeast-Asia
Myrmosula exaggerata
Myrmosula exaggerata is a species of velvet ant in the family Myrmosidae, a small family of solitary parasitoid wasps. Members of this genus are rarely encountered and poorly documented in scientific literature. The species name 'exaggerata' likely refers to some pronounced morphological feature, though the specific etymology has not been formally published. Based on family-level characteristics, individuals are expected to be wingless females or winged males with reduced wing venation.
Hymenoptera Myrmosidae velvet-ant-relatives parasitoid data-deficient rarely-observed
Myrmosula rutilans
Myrmosula rutilans is a species of myrmosid wasp in the family Myrmosidae, a small group of parasitoid wasps. The family Myrmosidae is part of the superfamily Pompiloidea and is closely related to spider wasps (Pompilidae). Species in this family are parasitoids of other insects, though specific host records for M. rutilans appear to be limited in the literature. The genus Myrmosula contains multiple species distributed in North America.
parasitoid Hymenoptera Myrmosidae North-America rare-wasps
Nefusa ambigua
Violet Leafmining Sawfly
Nefusa ambigua, commonly known as the violet leafmining sawfly, is a species of sawfly in the family Tenthredinidae. The larvae are specialized leafminers that feed internally within the leaves of Viola species (violets). This species has been documented across multiple Canadian provinces and is known for its distinctive larval habit of creating mines within violet foliage.
leafminer specialist-herbivore Viola-associate Canadian-fauna sawfly Hymenoptera Tenthredinidae internal-feeder
Neivamyrmex melshaemeri
Legionary ant
Neivamyrmex melshaemeri is a species of legionary ant in the genus Neivamyrmex, which comprises nomadic army ants found primarily in North America. Like other members of this genus, it exhibits specialized predatory behavior and social parasitism of other ant colonies. The species was described by Haldeman in 1852 and represents part of a distinctive radiation of New World army ants.
army-ant legionary-ant nomadic-ant ant-predator myrmecophile-host Hymenoptera Formicidae North-America
Nematinae
nematine sawflies
Nematinae is a large subfamily of sawflies (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae) comprising over 1,250 described species across approximately 40 genera. The subfamily exhibits a reversed latitudinal diversity gradient, with species richness peaking in boreal forest zones rather than tropical regions, likely associated with the abundance of willow (Salix) hosts. Nematinae display diverse feeding strategies including external leaf feeding, leaf mining, and gall induction, with larvae utilizing over 20 plant families.
sawflies gall-inducers willow-associates boreal-fauna herbivores Hymenoptera
Nematus castaneae
Nematus castaneae is a species of sawfly in the family Tenthredinidae. It is associated with chestnut trees (Castanea spp.), though specific ecological details remain poorly documented. The species is part of a community of insects historically linked to American chestnut (Castanea dentata), which experienced severe population decline following the introduction of chestnut blight fungus in the early 20th century. Like other Nematus species, it likely has a holometabolous life cycle with larval stages that feed on host plant foliage.
sawfly Tenthredinidae chestnut Castanea Hymenoptera leafminer-associated-fauna American-chestnut-decline understudied-species
Neodiprion
Neodiprion is a genus of conifer sawflies in the family Diprionidae, containing approximately 25 species native to North America. Larvae are specialized folivores of pine needles, with most species exhibiting strong host associations with particular Pinus species. Several species, including N. lecontei and N. sertifer, are significant forest pests capable of causing extensive defoliation during outbreak years. The genus is distinguished from related sawflies by morphological and ecological traits associated with conifer specialization.
conifer-sawfly pine-pest defoliator forest-pest Hymenoptera Diprionidae gregarious-larvae chemical-defense
Neodiprion compar
redheaded pine sawfly
Neodiprion compar is a conifer sawfly in the family Diprionidae, commonly known as the redheaded pine sawfly. The species is native to eastern North America and feeds primarily on pine needles. Larvae are gregarious and can cause significant defoliation during outbreaks, though populations are typically moderated by natural enemies. The species is one of approximately 25 conifer sawfly species found in eastern U.S. forests.
Diprionidae conifer-sawfly pine-sawfly forest-pest defoliator gregarious-larvae Hymenoptera eastern-North-America integrated-pest-management natural-enemies
Neodiprion excitans
Black-headed Pine Sawfly
Neodiprion excitans, commonly known as the Black-headed Pine Sawfly, is a conifer-feeding sawfly in the family Diprionidae. It is native to eastern North America, with documented populations in North Carolina and surrounding regions. Like other members of its genus, it is a folivore that feeds on pine needles and can cause significant defoliation during outbreak conditions. The species has been studied for its population dynamics and ecological interactions in pine forest ecosystems.
sawfly pine defoliator forest-pest Diprionidae Hymenoptera conifer herbivore eastern-North-America population-dynamics
Neodiprion fabricii
Fabricius's Sawfly
Neodiprion fabricii is a conifer sawfly species in the family Diprionidae, native to eastern North America. The larvae are folivores that feed on pine needles, with young larvae consuming partial needles and older larvae eating entire needles. This species is one of approximately 25 conifer sawfly species found in eastern U.S. forests and occasionally contributes to localized defoliation events. Adults are stingless wasps with a saw-like ovipositor used to insert eggs into conifer foliage.
sawfly conifer defoliator pine Diprionidae forest-pest Hymenoptera