Polysphinctine
Guides
Acrotaphus
Acrotaphus is a genus of spider-attacking parasitoid wasps in the family Ichneumonidae, subfamily Pimplinae, tribe Ephialtini. The genus contains 27 described species distributed across the New World, with particularly high diversity in the Neotropics including the Brazilian Amazon. These wasps are ectoparasitoids of orb-weaver spiders in the families Araneidae and Tetragnathidae. A defining characteristic of the genus is the ability to induce behavioral modification in host spiders, causing them to construct specialized "cocoon webs" that support and protect the wasp pupae.
Eruga
Eruga is a genus of ichneumon wasps in the tribe Ephialtini, comprising approximately 15 species distributed across the Afrotropical, Nearctic, and Neotropical regions. Members of this genus are ectoparasitoids of spiders, specifically targeting species in the families Linyphiidae and Tetragnathidae. The genus is notable for behavioral manipulation of host spiders, inducing them to construct modified 'cocoon webs' that support and protect the wasp's pupal cocoon.
Zatypota
Zatypota is a genus of ichneumonid wasps comprising at least 40 described species, distributed across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. All species are koinobiont ectoparasitoids of spiders, primarily targeting theridiid spiders though some species parasitize linyphiids and araneids. The genus is notable for inducing behavioral manipulation in host spiders, causing them to construct specialized "cocoon webs" that protect the developing wasp larva. Several species have been documented as hosts for hyperparasitoid chalcidid wasps, forming complex three-trophic-level interactions.