Family CHALCIDIDAE
Introduction
The Chalcididae is a medium-sized family and due to their generally larger body size, tends to be more commonly collected and is often represented in collections in higher numbers than some of the larger families of Chalcidoidea. Most species are primary endoparasitoids of Lepidoptera and Diptera, although Hymenoptera, Coleoptera and Neuroptera are also attacked. The family also contains hyperparasitoids, ectoparasitoids and gregarious species. Most species are idiobiont pupal or larval parasitoids. Some, however, are koinobionts, for example some Chalcis species that oviposit into eggs of Stratiomyiidae (Diptera), and emerge from the young pupa.
Economic Importance. Some species may be of economic importance as natural regulators of pest populations. Other species have been used in biological control programs, usually with limited success.
Distribution. Cosmopolitan.
Classification. The Chalcididae are presently divided into five subfamilies: Dirhininae, Epitraninae, Chalcidinae, Haltichellinae and Smicromorphinae (Boucek 1988). The majority of the species belong to the subfamilies Chalcidinae and Haltichellinae.
Important genera: Brachymeria, Antrocephalus, Hockeria, Invrea, Haltichella.
Identification of Australian genera: Keys to Australasian genera are included in Boucek (1988).
Diagnosis
Hind femur swollen with ventral surface toothed. Prepectus reduced. Post-genal carina present. Tegula not elongate. Forewings not folded. Ovipositor generally not exserted, if noticeably exserted then it is straight and not curving upward over the abdomen. Usually without metallic coloration. Generally larger chalcidoids.
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.