Family Eulophidae

Classification · Numbers · Identification · Range · Food · Print References · Works Cited

Grapevine Epimenis cat. w/ eggs on it (?) - Euplectrus

Chalcid from Schizomyia racemicola gall - Aprostocetus - male

Wasp from Stigmella leaf mine in red oak - Cirrospilus - female

Chalcidoid from a phyllonorycter mine - aspen

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)

No Taxon ("Parasitica" - Parasitoid Wasps)

Superfamily Chalcidoidea (Chalcidoid Wasps)

Family Eulophidae

Numbers

4 subfamilies with >830 spp. in ~110 genera in our area and >4,300 spp. in >330 genera worldwide(1) (numbers in (2) are outdated. =v=)

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. (Comment by Ross Hill).

Other features: dark metallic coloration, 4-segmented tarsi with protibial spur short and straight. Antennae with 2 to 4-segmented funicle, (i.e. antenna at most with 10 segments).

Key to nearctic genera (except Tetrastichinae) in(3)

Range

Worldwide

Food

Feed on mites, spider egg cases (hyperparasites on ichneumonid egg predators), a few Homoptera (Coccidae, Diaspididae), Thysanoptera, and numerous families of Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Diptera, and Hymenoptera. A large number of species parasitize the leaf-mining and wood-boring Lepidoptera and Diptera, perhaps more so than any other Hymenoptera.

Print References

Gauthier N., LaSalle J., Quicke D.L.J., Godfray H.C.J. (2000) Phylogeny of Eulophidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea), with a reclassification of Eulophinae and the recognition that Elasmidae are derived eulophids. Syst. Entomol. 25: 521-539.

Works Cited

1.	Universal Chalcidoidea Database

2.	A handbook of the families of Nearctic Chalcidoidea (Hymenoptera). 2nd Edition Grissell E.E., Schauff M. E. 1997. Ent. Soc. Wash. 87pp.

3.	Burks R.A. Key to the nearctic genera of Eulophidae, subfamilies: Entedoninae, Euderinae and Eulophinae (Hym.: Chalcidoidea)

Contributed by Richard Leung on 24 May, 2005 - 10:13pm
Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset, Mike Quinn, ceiseman, v belov
Last updated 10 September, 2021 - 3:47pm

Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. We strive to provide accurate information, but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world. If you need expert professional advice, contact your local extension office.

Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.
Click the contributor's name for licensing and usage information.
Everything else copyright © 2003-2023 Iowa State University, unless otherwise noted.

Bugguide is hosted by:

Printer Friendly Version