HYMENOPTERA > APOCRITA | Parasitica > Ichneumonidae > Phygadeuontinae

Both of the individuals in the following photos were identified as being Glyphicnemis sp., with strong indications that they are almost certainly Glyphicnemis profligator rather than Glyphicnemis vagabunda; species that were formally listed under Cryptinae.

As previously noted, Phygadeuontinae is now our largest ichneumonid subfamily with 392 recognised species in 59 genera although, surprisingly, with no separation into tribes.

A number of characters combine to recognise species, but few of these important features will be seen in photos. The only three worth noting that could be visually determined are a petiolate first metasomal segment without any lateral pits or grooves, pentagonal-shaped areolet (pretty much as Ichnumoninae) and, in the females, an ovipositor that usually extends well beyond the end of the abdomen.

Phygadeuontinae is grouped with Ichnumoninae and Cryptinae, as well as four smaller subfamilies (not represented here) within the Ichneumoniformes clade. Species are idiobiont ectoparasitoids of more or less concealed hosts the same as Cryptinae.

Updated, March 25 (v.2)