Subfamily Scleroderminae

Classification · Synonyms and other taxonomic changes · Explanation of Names · Numbers · Identification · Life Cycle · Internet References · Works Cited

Small, smooth looking ant - Sclerodermus

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)

No Taxon (Aculeata - Ants, Bees and Stinging Wasps)

Superfamily Chrysidoidea (Cuckoo Wasps and Allies)

Family Bethylidae (Flat Wasps)

Subfamily Scleroderminae

Synonyms and other taxonomic changes

Sclerodermini Kieffer, 1914

Cephalonomiini Evans, 1964

Kieffer (1914) first defined the tribe Sclerodermini within Bethylinae. Berland (1928) then treated it as the subfamily Scleroderminae. Evans (1964) did not recognize the subfamily and treated it again as a tribe in Epyrinae, until Alencar & Azevedo (2013) raised it again to the rank of subfamily.(1)

Explanation of Names

Scleroderminae Berland, 1928; Alencar & Azevedo, 2013

Numbers

~213 spp. in 22 genera worldwide(1)

Identification

If wings entirely lacking, eyes present with many facets. For winged forms, forewing with Rs+M vein absent; metanotum not developed medially nor overlapping mesoscutellum posteriorly; metasomal segment II not distinctly long; metapectal-propodeal complex not depressed medially, never with posterior spines; body not strongly foveolate; mesopleuron without transepisternal line; forewing of macropterous forms with anterior board angularly incurved; anterior to pterostigma, costal vein usually absent; occipital carina often absent.(1)

Life Cycle

Generally, members of this subfamily parasitize larvae of Coleoptera in cryptic habitats.(1)

Internet References

Alencar, I. D. C. C. and C. O. Azevedo. (2013). Reclassification of Epyrini (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae): a tribal approach with commentary on their genera. Systematic Entomology, Vol. 38, No. 1: 45–80. (Wiley Online Library)

Works Cited

1.	Global guide of the flat wasps (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae) Azevedo C. O., I. D. C. C. Alencar, M. S. Ramos, D. N. Barbosa, W. D. Colombo, J. M. R. Vargas, and J. Lim. 2018. Magnolia Press, Zootaxa.

Contributed by Arturo Santos on 27 July, 2020 - 7:08pm
Last updated 30 July, 2020 - 1:25pm

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