Explanation of Names
Family name is from "Greek
stephanus, crown, in reference to strong tubercles on the coronal area" (
A.P. Aguiar).
Numbers
Nearctica.com lists: Megischus (5 spp.) and Schlettererius (1 sp.)
Identification
Slender antennae, 30 or more segments. Head has crown of teeth around median ocellus. Long ovipositor. Most associated with pines, seldom seen.
Range
In North America, mostly western and southern states. John Ascher reports
here that only two stephanid species, both in
Megischus, are found in eastern North America.
Life Cycle
Parasitoids of wood boring beetles and wasps.
Remarks
Odd little wasps, resemble ichneumons. (I always enjoy adding a new family to BugGuide--it is quite rare, as Troy has seen so many!)
Family name is from the Greek stephanus, crown, referring to tubercles in the "coronal area". (From the Stephanid homepage.)
