Family CHRYSIDIDAE Linnaeus, 1758
- Chrysididae Linnaeus, C. 1758. Systema Naturae per Regna tria Naturae, secundem Classes, Ordines, Genera, Species, cum Characteribus, Differentis, Synonymis, Locis. Tom.1, Editio decima, reformata. Holmiae : Laurentii Salvii 824 pp.
Introduction
Although worldwide the family Chrysididae comprises about 3,000 species, it is depauperate in the Australian region. The family has four subfamilies, among which the Cleptinae is restricted to the Northern Hemisphere, while the Chrysidinae is the most speciose and contains about 80% of all species. The family is biologically diverse. Chrysidinae are parasites or cleptoparasites in the nests of Sphecidae and solitary Vespidae, while the Amiseginae and Loboscelidiinae parasitise the eggs of Phasmatodea. Members of the Chrysidinae have the posterior abdominal tergites developed into a telescopic tube that, at rest, is hidden under the anterior segments. Chrysidinae are characterised by having a heavily sculptured metallic blue or green body and are easily identified by these traits. Lobosclidiinae are restricted to the Oriental-Australian region and have an unusual shaped, highly polished body. Amiseginae have wingless females that are associated with leaf litter amongst which they search for their phasmatid host eggs.
General References
Kimsey, L.S. 1995. Chrysididae. pp. 479-487 in Hanson, P. & Gauld, I. (eds). The Hymenoptera of Costa Rica. Oxford : Oxford University Press xx 893 pp.
Kimsey, L.S. & Bohart, R.M. 1990. The Chrysidid Wasps of the World. New York : Oxford University Press 652 pp.
Naumann, I.D. 1991. Hymenoptera (wasps, bees, ants, sawflies). pp. 916-1000 in Naumann, I.D. (ed.). The Insects of Australia. Melbourne : Melbourne University Press Vol. 2 pp. 543-1037