Wingless-forms

Guides

• Ceraphronidae

  ceraphronid wasps, ceraphronids

  Ceraphronidae is a small family of parasitoid wasps in the superfamily Ceraphronoidea, containing approximately 14 genera and 360 described species, though many remain undescribed. The family is poorly known taxonomically and ecologically. Most species are believed to be primary parasitoids, particularly of flies, with some functioning as hyperparasitoids of other parasitoids. A significant number of species are found in soil, and winglessness has evolved in multiple lineages.

  parasitoidhyperparasitoidsoil-dwellingwingless-formsbiological-controlunderstudied-taxonomyCeraphronoidea

• Megaspilidae

  Megaspilidae is a small family of parasitoid wasps in the superfamily Ceraphronoidea, comprising approximately 450 described species across 13 genera in two subfamilies. The family remains poorly known biologically, though most species are believed to be parasitoids of sternorrhynchan Hemiptera (particularly aphids), with some functioning as hyperparasitoids attacking other parasitoids. Many species inhabit soil, and several are wingless. The largest genus is Dendrocerus, followed by Conostigmus.

  parasitoidhyperparasitoidaphid-parasitoidsoil-dwellingwingless-formsCeraphronoideaHymenopterabiological-controlhost-discriminationDendrocerusConostigmus