Family AGAONIDAE
Introduction
The Agaonidae is a medium-sized family, which is generally only collected on figs. All agaonids are associated with figs (Moraceae: Ficus), some acting as pollinators (Agaoninae) and others are phytophagous or possibly parasitoids. All species live within the fig inflorescences (syconia). The relationship between figs and their agaonine pollinators is an extreme case of symbiosis, since Ficus species can be pollinated only by the right fig wasps, and fig-wasps are unable to produce progeny outside the appropriate fig. The biology of non-pollinator species of Agaonidae is poorly known, however Boucek (1988) suggests that most of these species, which have generally been considered to be parasitoids, are actually phytophagous. The larvae feed on the fig ovaria, or may be seed eaters or gall formers within the fig syconia.
Economic Importance. Blastophaga psenes (L.) is the best known agaonid since it is the only pollinator of the edible fig, Ficus carica.
Distribution. Tropical (and subtropical) regions throughout the world.
Classification. We are using the classification of Boucek (1988), who recognised six subfamilies in the Agaonidae (Epichrysomallinae, Otitesellinae, Sycoecinae, Sycoryctinae, Sycophaginae, Agaoninae).
Important genera: Blastophaga, Ceratosolen, Idarnes, Camarothorax, Apocrypta, Sycoscapter.
Identification of Australian genera: Keys to Australasian genera are included in Boucek (1988).
Diagnosis
Head without horseshoe-shaped occipital carina (which is typical of Torymidae); body generally smooth or with only very faint sculpture; and with at least one of the following characters: mid femur distinctly more slender than either fore or hind leg; or, mandibles in female modified into rasp-like structures; or, female abdomen modified into terminal "tail" composed of either ovipositor alone or ovipositor and terminal tergites. Stigmal vein often slender and at a right angle to the wing margin. Species often strongly sexually dimorphic, with wingless males which have reduced appendages, and are hardly recognisable as wasps at all.
General References
Boucek, Z. 1988. Australasian Chalcidoidea (Hymenoptera). A biosystematic revision of genera of fourteen families, with a reclassification of species. London : CAB International 832 pp.