Family SIGNIPHORIDAE
Introduction
The Signiphoridae is a small family of quite small wasps (0.5–1.2 mm), that are not frequently collected. Signiphorids are quite commonly reared from scale insects, both Diaspididae and Pseudococcidae, and may be primary or hyperparasitoids. Aleyrodidae and dipterous puparia are also attacked, as are lepidopterous eggs. In most of these cases the signiphorids are hyperparasitic.
Economic Importance. Signiphoridae seem to have no impact on the population size of any of their hosts, either as primary parasitoids or as hyperparasitoids.
Distribution. Cosmopolitan.
Classification. There are currently only four genera, all placed in a single subfamily.
Important genera: Signiphora, Chartocerus
Identification of Australian genera: There are no keys to Australasian genera; however, Woolley (1988) provided a key to world genera.
Diagnosis
Wing bare, without any small setae on disc, although a few large setae may be present. Thorax smooth with scutellum and axillae fused and forming a narrow transverse sclerite, and a triangular area in the middle of the propodeum. Antenna without funicular segments, with 2 to 4 anelli followed by a long, unsegmented club. Tarsi 5-segmented. Non-metallic, generally black or yellow and black or brown. Small wasps, 0.5–1.2 mm.
General References
Woolley, J.B. 1988. Phylogeny and classification of the Signiphoridae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea). Systematic Entomology 13: 465-501