Explanation of Names
Sclerogibbidae Ashmead 1902
Numbers
5 spp. in 2 genera in our area
(1), 20 spp. in 3 genera total
(2) • our fauna:
Probethylus callani Richards 1939: AZ, CA, TX
P. schwarzi Ashmead 1902: AZ, CA, OK, TX
Sclerogibba africana (Kieffer 1904): TX
S. talpiformis Benoit 1950: FL, TX
S. vagabunda (Bridwell 1919): CA
Identification
Female wingless and ant-like, male winged
(1)
Key to Females
1a. Mid tibia with 1 spur; hypostomal bridge with anterior flat surface about as long as first antennomere................. 2 (Probethylus)
1b. Mid tibia with 2 spurs; hypostomal bridge with anterior flat surface at least twice as long as first antennomere..... 3 (Sclerogibba)
2a. Hypostomal bridge with anterior flat surface no more than 80% length of first antennomere; color of dorsum testaceous-ferruginous to brown ... P. callani
2b. Hypostomal bridge with anterior flat surface at least 85% length of first antennomere; dorsum
testaceous-ferruginous with brown at most in spots on segments 1 and 3......................................................... P. schwarzi
3a. Propodeum with at most a slight median impression .................................................................................... S. vagabunda (in part)
3b. Propodeum with distinct median longitudinal furrow ..................................................................................... 4
4a. Pronotum with distinct median longitudinal furrow ....................................................................................... S. talpiformis (in part)
4b. Pronotum with at most a slight median impression ....................................................................................... 5
5a. Notauli entirely absent.............................................................................................................................. S. vagabunda (in part)
5b. Notauli present or reduced to pits .............................................................................................................. 6
6a. Notauli complete ..................................................................................................................................... S. talpiformisa (in part)
6b. Notauli incomplete ................................................................................................................................... S. africana
Key to Males
1a. Pterostigma absent; RS+M sessile on Rs ..................................................................................................... 2 (Probethylus)
1b. Pterostigma present; vein RS+M petiolate on Rs .......................................................................................... 3 (Sclerogibba)
2a. Notauli complete or at least reaching half length of scutum............................................................................ P. callani
2b. Notauli not reaching half length of scutum................................................................................................... P. schwarzi
3a. Forewing with enclosed discoidal cells ......................................................................................................... S. africana
3b. Forewing lacking discoidal cells .................................................................................................................. 4
4a. Forewing with very small marginal cell (2R1) ............................................................................................... S. vagabunda
4b. Forewing with large marginal cell (2R1) ...................................................................................................... S.talpiformis
Range
In our area, southern (FL · TX‒OK · AZ‒CA)
(1)Habitat
Larvae are attached externally to nymphal webspinners and develop within the host galleries
(1)Food
hosts: webspinners (Embiidina)