Diapriidae

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Continued from the previous page .....

Subfamily Belytinae 

c.170 species in 24 genera, separated into three tribes: Belytini, Oxylabini and Pantolytini

Largest genera in terms of recognised species: Aclista (32), Belyta (15), Cinetus (23), Miota (13), Pantoclis (22) and Zygota (19) - all in Belytini; and Pantolyta (12) from the Pantolytini tribe.

Some of the most frequently recorded species from selected genera, but not necessarily species that are likely to be encountered, are: Aclista cantiana and rufopetiolata; Belyta rugosicollis, depressa, forticornis and validicornis; Cinetus iridipennis; Miota monilicornis; Pantoclis trisulcata; Oxylabis thomsoni; Acanosema nervosa; Acropiesta rufiventris and flaviventris.

Genus Belyta

Featured on the previous page - a fully-winged male with 14-segmented antennae, a3 modified (see end note). Difficult to distinguish the species, and probably near impossible from photos - better chance with females.

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Subfamily Diapriinae

c.125 species in 14 genera, separated into three tribes: Diapriini, Psilini and Spilomicrini

Largest genera in terms of recognised species: Basalys (27) and Trichopria (40) from the Diaprinni tribe; and Spilomicrus from Spilomicrini; also Aneurhynchus (13), which is currently unplaced (incertae sedis).

The most frequently recorded species (as defined above) are Tricopria aequata which has significantly more records than any other member of the family, also Tricopria wasmanni and verticillata; Basalys fumipennis; Phaenopria cameroni; Paramesius elongatus (syn.rufipes) and Spilomicrus annulicornis.

Genus Basalys

Featured on the previous page - a fully-winged male with 14-segmented antennae, a4 modified (see end note). Forewing with reduced venation and no stigma, but with a distinct submarginal vein; scutellum with distinct basal fovea (depression); females have vestigial or shortened wings; the males of most species are said to be unrecognised, so only identifiable to the genus.  

Genus Spilomicrus

Featured on the previous page - a fully-winged male with 13-segmented antennae, a4 modified. Given that the males in this subfamily typically have 14-segmented antennae (10 genera) options here are narrowed down as it's only members of the Spilomicrini tribe that have 13. There are four genera to consider: Entomacis, Idiotypa, Paramesius and Spilomicrus. Notwithstanding the fact that they are rarely recorded in comparison with the other genera, Entomacis have differently formed wings and Idiotypa has a paler, reddish-yellow body and deeply impressed notaulices (longitudinal grooves). That leaves Paramesius and Spilomicrus. They can be separated in various ways if an individual can be properly examined, but as far as I can see the clearest visual differences are in respect of the size of the marginalis or marginal vein (long in Paramesius, and short in Spilomicrus) but, in respect of males, it's simply a case of looking at the antennae as the second flagellar segment is much longer in Paramesius, being just over twice the length of the first, whereas in Spilomicrus it's only slightly longer than the first.

The featured individual is probably Spilomicrus annulicornis or Spilomicrus stigmaticalis (see end note), and likely the latter on the basis that the emargination of the second flagellar segment is well defined.

Genus Platymischus

Featured below - wingless female with 12-segmented antennae, including a 4-segmented weak club; scutellum without fovea; head slightly longer than wide when viewed from above; densely pubescent short propodeum; wingless male with 14-segmented antennae with an enormously expanded, bent and hollowed-out scape. Eyes very small in both sexes.

Platymischus dilatus (only member of the genus) - a coastal species of rocky shores and wrack beds in the intertidal zone. Whilst the male is unmistakeable, the female, bearing in mind their tiny size of barely 2mm, could be confused with the following species.

Genus Trichopria

Featured below - wingless male with 14-segmented antennae, a4 modified and scape of normal form (see end note). Scutellum with basal fovea; body predominantly smooth and glabrous.

Almost certainly Trichopria nigricornis - a coastal species often found with Platymischus dilatus; dorsal areas of pronotum densely pubescent; head from above somewhat quadrate; hollow of scutellum small, almost circular (hard to see); legs pale brownish.

Trichopria is the largest genus with around 40 listed species although only six have been recorded over the 25 years according to the NBN database, and by far the highest proportion of those records are Trichopria aequata as noted above.

Note: identities kindly confirmed and/or verified by David Notton (NHM)

Updated, May 26 (v2)