Family RHOPALOSOMATIDAE
Introduction
This small family is represented in Australia only by the genus Olixon Cameron which is otherwise found in North and South America, southern Africa and Madagascar. Its members have reduced, non-functional wings and are ant-like in appearance. The Australian fauna comprises 17 species. Previously thought to be rare, several species have recently been collected in moderate numbers in long-term pitfall traps. Although no host records are known for Australia, members of this family are all thought to be ectoparasitic on crickets (Orthoptera: Gryllidae).
General References
Krogmann, L., Austin, A.D. & Naumann, I.D. 2009. Systematics and biogeography of Australian rhopalosomatid wasps (Hymenoptera: Rhopalosomatidae) with a global synopsis of the enigmatic genus Olixon Cameron. Systematic Entomology 34: 1-31
Townes, H. 1977. A revision of the Rhopalosomatidae (Hymenoptera). Contributions of the American Entomological Institute 15: 1–34