Xiphydriidae

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Xiphydriidae
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Suborder: Symphyta
Superfamily: Xyeloidea
Family: Xiphydriidae

Xiphydriidae is a family of wood wasp with the distinct characteristic of having a globose head borne on a long, skinny "neck"; they are also unusual in the habit of boring into dead wood, rather than living trees. There has also been homosexual behavior observed in the laboratory. At least one species is apparently attracted to bear caves, although there is no documented connection between the two.

The family is small and ancient, with only around 120 living species in several genera, largely restricted to the Northern Hemisphere (with a few Neotropical species), and a number of fossil taxa.