Pelecinidae

Pronunciation:  [Pella·SIN·i·dee]

Common Name:   Pelecinid Wasps

Description:   Adult females of this family are shiny black in color and have an extremely long abdomen (4-5 times longer than the head and thorax combined).  Males (which are rarely seen) resemble females but the abdomen is club-shaped and not nearly as long.   Pelecinid larvae are parasitoids of June beetle larvae.

Spot ID Key Characters:

1. Extremely long and slender abdomen
2. Shiny black in color
3. Long, threadlike antenne
4. Hind wing lacking closed cells

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Order:  Hymenoptera