Chalcidoidea
Pronunciation: [Chal·ci·DOY·dee·ah]
Common Name: Chalcidid Wasps
Description: This superfamily includes at least nineteen families of very small parasitoid wasps. Members of the superfamily can be recognized by the absence of closed cells in the front wings and venation reduced to a single anterior vein (the costa) or none at all. Antennae are usually short, with 13 or fewer segments. Larvae are parasitoids of a variety of insects and considered to be important biological control agents.
Spot ID Key Characters:
- Front wings lack closed cells – venation highly reduced or absent
- Thread-like antennae with 13 or fewer segments
- Trochanters of hind legs are two-segmented
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Order: Hymenoptera
