Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Scelionidae is now considered to be part of Platygastridae (Murphy et al. 2007)
Identification
Antennae are elbowed, rise low on the face, typically has 11 or 12 segments and may be clubbed. Abdomen flattened, the lateral margins sharp. Wing venation greatly reduced and may be similar to chalcid wasps. Hindwing is without a jugal lobe.
Remarks
Members of this family are parasitic on the eggs of of a diverse group of insects. (At least seven different orders.) The mothering wasps often do stay with the parasitized eggs until they are emergent, mostly to keep other egg parasites away. They can be very common at the end of summer when egg numbers are at a peak. (Comment by Herschel Raney).
Print References
Borror & White, p. 338
(1)
Murphy, N.P., D. Carey, L. Castro, M. Dowton & A.D. Austin (2007) Phylogeny of the platygastroid wasps (Hymenoptera) based on sequences from the 18S rRNA , 28S rRNA and CO1 genes: implications for classification and the evolution of host relationships. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 91:653-669.
