Family Eulophidae

Classification · Numbers · Identification · Range · Remarks · Internet References

Fungal infection or parasitism? - Euplectrus

Caterpillar with a problem - parasitic Apocrita - Eulophus - male

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)

No Taxon (parasitic Apocrita)

Superfamily Chalcidoidea (Chalcid Wasps)

Family Eulophidae

Numbers

About 500 species in the Nearctic region, 3400 in the world.

Identification

The 4-segmented tarsi helps distinguish this chalcid from the very similar pteromalid group. These wasps also shrivel up badly after death which is also a characteristic of this family. Most species are primary parasitoids of hidden larvae (e.g. leafmining orders such as Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera, etc.), and some are hyperparasitoids as well. The host range is very diverse.

Other features: dark metallic coloration, 4-segmented tarsi with protibial spur short and straight. Antennae with 4-segmented funicle.

Range

Worldwide.

Remarks

A difficult group, not well studied.

Internet References

USDA Systematic Entomology Lab.

University of California. Key to Nearctic genera of Eulophidae.

Contributed by Richard Leung on 24 May, 2005 - 10:13pm
Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset
Last updated 2 August, 2009 - 8:40am

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