Pteromalidae
Guides
Acaenacis
Acaenacis is a genus of chalcid wasps in the family Pteromalidae, described by Girault in 1917. These are small parasitoid wasps belonging to the superfamily Chalcidoidea. The genus is placed in the subfamily Pteromalinae and tribe Pteromalini. As with many pteromalid genera, Acaenacis is poorly known in terms of biology and species diversity.
Acroclisoides
Acroclisoides is a genus of chalcid wasps in the family Pteromalidae, established in 1915. Species within this genus are obligate hyperparasitoids that attack the pupal stage of scelionid primary parasitoids developing within pentatomid (stink bug) eggs. The genus has a broad geographic distribution spanning the Oriental, Afrotropical, Australian, and Holarctic regions. Acroclisoides sinicus, the most studied species, has recently expanded from Asia to Europe and North America, where it poses potential risks to biological control programs targeting invasive stink bugs such as Halyomorpha halys.
Anisopteromalus
Genus of small parasitoid wasps in the family Pteromalidae, comprising species that attack larvae of stored-product beetles. Species within this genus are ectoparasitoids, with females laying eggs on host larvae concealed inside grains or other substrates. The genus includes at least two morphologically similar sibling species, A. calandrae and A. quinarius, that require molecular or cytogenetic methods for reliable identification. Members of this genus have been investigated as biological control agents against pests of stored grain.
Anogmus
Anogmus is a genus of chalcidoid wasps in the family Pteromalidae, first described by Foerster in 1856. These small parasitoid wasps belong to the subfamily Pteromalinae and are part of the diverse radiation of pteromalid wasps that attack various insect hosts. The genus is documented from parts of northern Europe including Denmark, Norway, and Poland.
Arthrolytus
A genus of small parasitoid wasps in the family Pteromalidae. European species have been reared from cynipid galls on oak, indicating a parasitoid relationship with gall wasps. The genus includes at least two newly described European species, A. nanus and A. incisus, alongside A. ocellus.
Asaphes
Asaphes is a genus of aphid hyperparasitoids in the family Pteromalidae. Species in this genus are secondary parasitoids that attack primary parasitoids developing within mummified aphids. Multiple species have been studied for their competitive interactions with other hyperparasitoids, including intraspecific tertiary parasitoidism and interspecific ovicidal behavior. Some species exhibit self-host discrimination but lack interspecific discrimination toward competitor species.
Asaphes suspensus
Asaphes suspensus is a common aphid hyperparasitoid wasp (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) that attacks aphidiine primary parasitoids within mummified aphids. The species exhibits sophisticated host discrimination behavior, including self-discrimination that favors unparasitized hosts over self-parasitized ones, but notably lacks interspecific discrimination against competitors. It employs ovicidal behavior as a competitive strategy, physically destroying competitor eggs through distinctive concave puncture sites. This species has been recorded from multiple continents including Europe, South America, and North America.
Brachycaudonia californica
Brachycaudonia californica is a species of chalcid wasp in the family Pteromalidae, first described by Ashmead in 1904. It is a parasitoid wasp, though specific host relationships remain undocumented in the available literature. The species is known from limited collection records in California and Ontario, Canada, with only two observations recorded in iNaturalist.
Cheiropachus
Cheiropachus is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Pteromalidae, first described by Westwood in 1829. Species within this genus are known to parasitize bark beetles (Scolytidae), with C. quadrum being the most studied species due to its role as a biological control agent of olive bark beetles in southern Europe. The genus occurs in Europe and North America, with at least ten recognized species.
Cleonymidae
Cleonymidae is a family of parasitic wasps in the superfamily Chalcidoidea, elevated from subfamily status within Pteromalidae based on morphological and phylogenetic studies. The family contains approximately 190 documented observations and includes seven recognized genera: Agrilocida, Callocleonymus, Cleonymus, Dasycleonymus, Notanisus, and Zolotarewskya. Members are small parasitoids, though specific biological details for the family remain poorly documented in published literature.
Cleonymus californicus
Cleonymus californicus is a species of chalcid wasp in the family Pteromalidae, described by Crawford in 1916. The species is known from California, reflecting its specific epithet. Like other members of the genus Cleonymus, it is presumed to be a parasitoid wasp, though specific host relationships remain undocumented in the available literature. The species is represented in major entomological collections, including the UCR Encyrtidae holdings.
Colotrechninae
Colotrechninae is a subfamily of chalcidoid wasps within the family Pteromalidae, established by Thomson in 1876. Members are small parasitoid wasps, part of the diverse Chalcidoidea superfamily that contains numerous species associated with other insects as hosts. The subfamily is relatively poorly documented in public literature compared to other pteromalid groups.
Colotrechnus
Colotrechnus is a genus of chalcid wasps in the family Pteromalidae, established by Thomson in 1878. It belongs to the subfamily Colotrechninae and tribe Colotrechnini. The genus contains at least four described species distributed across Europe and North America. Members are parasitoid wasps, though specific host relationships remain poorly documented.
Cratomus
Cratomus is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Pteromalidae, first described by Dalman in 1820. Members of this genus are small chalcidoid wasps that develop as parasitoids of other insects. The genus is part of the diverse Pteromalinae subfamily, which contains numerous species associated with various host insects. Cratomus species are known from parts of Europe including Denmark and Sweden.
Cyrtogaster
Cyrtogaster is a genus of chalcidoid wasps in the family Pteromalidae, subfamily Miscogastrinae, tribe Sphegigastrini. The genus was established by Walker in 1833. At least one species, C. vulgaris, has been documented as a secondary parasitoid (hyperparasitoid) of dipteran leafminers, with females laying eggs inside host puparia without discriminating between healthy hosts and those already parasitized by primary parasitoids.
Habritys
Habritys is a genus of chalcid wasps in the family Pteromalidae, first described by Thomson in 1878. These small parasitoid wasps belong to the diverse superfamily Chalcidoidea. The genus is known from northern Europe, with records from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. As with many Pteromalidae, species are likely associated with parasitizing other insects, though specific host relationships remain poorly documented.
Halticoptera
Halticoptera is a genus of chalcid wasps in the family Pteromalidae. Species in this genus are koinobiont endoparasitoids of agromyzid leafminer flies (Diptera: Agromyzidae). They have been investigated as biological control agents for leafminer pests, though host suitability varies significantly between indigenous and invasive host species.
Jaliscoa
Jaliscoa is a genus of chalcidoid wasps in the family Pteromalidae, established by Bouček in 1993. The genus was redefined in a 2013 taxonomic revision and currently includes four species: J. nudipennis (type species), J. bouceki, J. hunteri, and J. vulgaris. The most extensively studied species, J. hunteri, is a parasitoid of weevils in the genus Anthonomus, particularly the pepper weevil (A. eugenii), and has been investigated as a biological control agent. Unlike many parasitoids, J. hunteri exhibits significant host feeding behavior that contributes to pest suppression.
Jaliscoa hunteri
Jaliscoa hunteri is a pteromalid parasitoid wasp native to North America that functions as a biological control agent of weevil pests in agricultural systems. Originally described as Catolaccus hunteri in 1908, it was transferred to Jaliscoa in a 2013 revision. The species is best known for parasitizing and host-feeding on pepper weevil (Anthonomus eugenii) larvae in pepper crops, and has been evaluated for control of hibiscus bud weevil (Anthonomus testaceosquamosus). Laboratory studies demonstrate strong attraction to volatiles emitted by weevil-infested pepper plants and fruit.
Lyrcus nigroaeneus
Lyrcus nigroaeneus is a parasitic wasp in the family Pteromalidae, originally described by Ashmead in 1894. It was transferred from the genus Zatropis to Lyrcus in 2013 as part of a comprehensive taxonomic revision that redefined the boundaries of several related pteromalid genera. The species name 'nigroaeneus' refers to its black-bronze coloration. No specific biological data have been published for this species.
Merismus
Merismus is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Pteromalidae, established by Walker in 1833. Members of this genus are placed in the tribe Sphegigastrini within the subfamily Miscogastrinae. The genus is part of the diverse chalcidoid wasp superfamily, which contains numerous species that parasitize other insects. Very few observations of this genus exist in public databases.
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.
Mesopolobus
Mesopolobus is a genus of chalcidoid wasps in the family Pteromalidae, established by Westwood in 1833. The genus contains approximately 135 valid species with cosmopolitan distribution. Most species are parasitoids of pupae, though the genus exhibits diverse life histories. Species have been documented from coniferous foliage, particularly spruce, as well as from gall-forming insects and other hosts.
Ormocerus
Ormocerus is a genus of minute parasitoid wasps in the family Pteromalidae, subfamily Ormocerinae. The genus was established by Francis Walker in 1834. Species in this genus are known or suspected to be parasitoids of gall-forming insects, particularly cynipid gall wasps on oaks. At least one species, Ormocerus dirigoius, has been documented from Maine, United States.
Otitesellini
Otitesellini is a tribe of chalcidoid wasps within the family Pteromalidae, first described by Joseph in 1964. Members of this tribe are parasitoid wasps, a common ecological strategy within Chalcidoidea. The tribe is distinguished by morphological characteristics that separate it from other Pteromalinae tribes. The group has been documented in iNaturalist with over 600 observations, indicating some level of detectability in the field.
Oxysychus
Oxysychus is a genus of chalcidoid wasps in the family Pteromalidae, first described by Delucchi in 1956. Members belong to the tribe Pteromalini within the subfamily Pteromalinae. As with other pteromalids, these are likely small parasitoid wasps, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Pachyneuron
Pachyneuron is a cosmopolitan genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Pteromalidae, comprising approximately 60 valid species. Species are primarily hyperparasitoids of Sternorrhyncha (aphids, coccids, and psyllids), attacking the primary parasitoids of these herbivores. Some species also hyperparasitize predatory insects such as ladybird beetles (Coccinellidae) and lacewings (Chrysopidae) via their parasitoids. Certain species, including P. aphidis and P. albutius, have been documented as direct parasitoids of dipteran larvae or pupae. The genus has been studied in the context of biological control, where hyperparasitism may interfere with pest management programs.
Philotrypesis
Philotrypesis is a genus of parasitic wasps in the family Pteromalidae. These small chalcidoid wasps are primarily associated with fig trees (Ficus) as parasitoids of fig wasps. The genus has been recorded from multiple regions including Hawaii and Japan, with 266 observations documented on iNaturalist. Taxonomic placement has varied historically, with some sources formerly placing it in Agaonidae, though current consensus places it in Pteromalidae.
Pteromalini
Pteromalini is a tribe of chalcid wasps within the subfamily Pteromalinae (Pteromalidae). Members are small parasitoid wasps, part of the hyperdiverse superfamily Chalcidoidea. The tribe includes genera such as Miristhma, which contains rare and poorly collected species. Most biological details of the tribe remain undocumented.
Pteromalus puparum
white butterfly pupal parasitoid wasp
Pteromalus puparum is a gregarious endoparasitoid wasp that attacks the pupal stage of butterflies, particularly pierids and papilionids. It is widely distributed and has been extensively studied for biological control of agricultural pests, notably Pieris rapae, the small white cabbage butterfly. The species exhibits sophisticated host manipulation through venom injection during oviposition, which suppresses host immunity and regulates development. It is a model organism for studying parasitoid venom biochemistry, reproductive strategies, and innate immunity.
Spalangia cameroni
Spalangia cameroni is a solitary parasitoid wasp in the family Pteromalidae that attacks the pupal stage of filth flies, particularly house flies (Musca domestica). It has been extensively studied for its biological control potential in livestock and poultry operations. The species exhibits complex host-finding behaviors, including the ability to distinguish host ages through antennal contact, and demonstrates sex ratio manipulation in response to host size. It has a lifecycle of approximately 21–28 days under favorable conditions.
Sycoscapter
Sycoscapter is a genus of non-pollinating fig wasps first described by Saunders in 1883. These wasps are native to the Afrotropical, Indomalayan, and Australasian biogeographic realms. They function as parasitoids, specifically targeting fig wasps in the genera Ceratosolen, Eupristina, and Kradibia. As members of the family Pteromalidae, they represent one of many lineages involved in the complex ecological networks associated with fig trees (Ficus).
Walkerella
Walkerella is a genus of non-pollinating fig wasps in the family Pteromalidae, subfamily Otitesellinae. It is the most widely distributed genus within its subfamily, with species described from the Old World. Members are associated with Ficus fig trees, specifically species in subsection Conosycea of section Urostigma. Two new species were recently described from Xishuangbanna, China.
Xiphydriophagus
Xiphydriophagus is a genus of chalcidoid wasps in the family Pteromalidae, described by Ferrière in 1952. The genus belongs to the subfamily Pteromalinae and tribe Pteromalini. Members of this genus are parasitoid wasps, though specific host associations remain poorly documented. The genus has been recorded from limited localities in northern Europe.