Signiphoridae
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Signiphoridae | ||||||||||||||
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Chartocerus |
Signiphoridae (historically also known as Thysanidae) is a small family of parasitic wasps in the superfamily Chalcidoidea. They are almost exclusively associated with scale insects, either as parasitoids or hyperparasitoids of other parasitic wasps or flies. There are only some 45 species in 4 genera, and they are primarily tropical and subtropical in the New World.
They are typically short, squat wasps, best recognized by subtle features of the wings (long marginal setae but few setae on the membrane), and a long, unsegmented antennal club. Some species are highly modified into a polished, smooth teardrop shape.