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Embolemidae

Embolemid wasps of Africa and Madagascar

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

Classification

Ampulicomorpha Ashmead, 1893

Embolemus Westwood, 1833

Distribution

Worldwide.

Biology

Poorly known. A Nearctic species was reared from homopteran nymphs (Achilidae) feeding on subcortical fungi. Females have been collected in ant nests and small mammal burrows.

Diversity

About twenty species in 2 genera.

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.

Olmi, M. 1995. A revision of the world  Embolemidae (Hymenoptera Chrysidoidea). Frustula entomologica (1995), N.S., XVIII (XXXI): 85-146.

Olmi M., 2006. A catalogue of Dryinidae and Embolemidae of South Africa, with descriptions of new species (Hymenoptera Chrysidodea). Frustula entomologica (2005)(N.S.) vol. 28-29 (41-42): 1-57.

Credits

Photographs © Simon van Noort (Iziko Museums of Cape Town)


Web author Simon van Noort (Iziko South African Museum)

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