Proctotrupoidea
Guides
Heloridae
Heloridae is a family of parasitic wasps in the superfamily Proctotrupoidea. The family is represented by a single extant genus, Helorus, with approximately 12-18 species distributed worldwide. Extant members are solitary endoparasitoids of Chrysopidae (green lacewing) larvae. The family is notable for its extensive fossil record, with numerous extinct genera documented from Jurassic and Cretaceous deposits in Asia and Europe.
Hormoserphus
Hormoserphus is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Serphidae (Proctotrupoidea), established by Townes in 1981. The genus belongs to a poorly studied group of small, rarely collected wasps. Its taxonomic status is currently marked as doubtful in some databases, suggesting potential issues with its validity or circumscription. Members of Serphidae are generally associated with decaying organic matter where they parasitize other insects.
Vanhorniidae
Vanhorniidae is a small family of parasitoid wasps in the superfamily Proctotrupoidea, containing the single genus Vanhornia with six recognized species worldwide. The family is characterized by highly specialized morphology including exodont mandibles, low antennal insertion, and an exceptionally long ovipositor that projects anteriorly from its base and is housed in a ventral groove. Species are koinobiont endoparasitoids of wood-boring beetle larvae in the family Eucnemidae (false click beetles). The North American species Vanhornia eucnemidarum was long considered rare due to limited collection records, but recent data integration revealed a much broader distribution than previously recognized.