Family STEPHANIDAE
Compiler and date details
J.T. Jennings, N.B. Stevens & A.D. Austin, Centre for Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Introduction
The Stephanidae are mostly tropical in distribution, with about 300 species described worldwide. Following the work of Aguiar (2001), three genera, Megischus Brullé (2 spp.), Parastephanellus Enderlein (18 spp.) and Schlettererius Ashmead (1 sp.) are recognised as occurring in Australia.
Adult stephanids are slender (3.5–60 mm) and superficially resemble some Gasteruptiidae and Braconidae (Naumann 1991). They parasitise wood-boring larvae, and one species, Schlettererius cinctipes, was introduced into Australia from North America as a biological control agent of Sirex woodwasp (Siricidae) (Taylor 1967).
- Aguiar, A.P. 2001. Revision of the Australian Stephanidae (Hymenoptera). Invertebrate Taxonomy 15: 763-822 [769]
ID Keys
For key to genera, Aguiar, A. P. (2001). Revision of the Australian Stephanidae (Hymenoptera). Invertebr. Taxon. 15: 763–822 [769].
General References
Aguiar, A.P. 2001. Revision of the Australian Stephanidae (Hymenoptera). Invertebrate Taxonomy 15: 763-822
Naumann, I.D. 1991. Hymenoptera. pp. 916-1000 in Naumann, I.D. (ed.). The Insects of Australia. Melbourne : Melbourne University Press Vol. 2 pp. 543-1037
Taylor, K.T. 1967. Parasitism of Sirex noctilio F. by Schlettererius cinctipes (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Stephanidae). Journal of the Australian Entomological Society 6: 13-19