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Bethylidae

Bethylid wasps of Africa and Madagascar

(Life: Kingdom: Metazoa (animals); Phylum: Arthropoda; Class: Hexapoda; Order: Hymenoptera; Superfamily: Chrysidoidea)

Classification

  Bethylinae
  Epyrinae
  Mesitiinae
Pristocerinae
Distribution Worldwide, with highest diversity in the tropics.
Biology Larva of Coleoptera or Lepidoptera are stung and paralysed by the adult female who lays several eggs on the larva, which is either left in situ or dragged to a concealed situation such as a crevice. The female may attend the eggs and developing larvae. Pupation occurs next to the host.

Diversity

2200 species

Reference

Finnamore, A.T. & Brothers, D.J. 1993. Superfamily Chrysidoidea (pp. 130-160). In GOULET, H. & HUBER, J. (eds). Hymenoptera of the World: an identification guide to families. Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, Canada, 668 pp.

Credits

Photographs © Simon van Noort (Iziko Museums)

 

Next family: Chrysididae


Web author Simon van Noort (Iziko South African Museum)

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