Chalcidid Wasps (Chalcididae) - 48 Species, Identification & Facts

Acanthochalcis nigricans

Identification: There are dense patches of white hair on the sides of the abdomen (T5 & T6) that separate this species from Acanthochalcis unispinosa (lacks the hairs). Males are smaller, but still larger than most chalcids, and have a shorter flagel

Acanthochalcis unispinosa

Identification: There are only diverging strips of white hairs on T6 of the abdomen as opposed to the thick, spot-like patches found in A. nigricans . Males are larger and have a longer flagellum (1.5x head height).

Brachymeria tibialis

Length about 5 mm. This is a small black and yellow chalcid wasp. The thighs are very swollen and the hind tibia of this species is all yellow dorsally along the entire length. In grassland where moths of the Burnet family ( Zygaena sp .) are found.

Conura amoena

Identification: C. amoena has a distinctive row of long teeth on the hind femora. Note: size number, and arrangement of these teeth should be considerations when attempting to identify this species. This is not the only species with prominent teeth.

Conura igneoides 0

Conura igneoides

Identification: Females are separated from allied species by the following combination fo traits: facial carinulae ending near the margin of the eye, ventromedial tooth on the hind femur, and longer, more tooth-like projections on the propodeum.

Conura maria

Identification: Distinguished from other members of the maculata -group by the triangular antennal pedicels in the male. Females are especially similar to other members of the group, including C. igneoides .

Conura side

Austin Baker has cautioned against over-confident identification of this and other species based on photo comparisons.

Conura xanthostigma

This Chalcid Wasp is around 8 mm long and is black with a number of yellow bars and spots. It lives parasitically in the larvae of sawflies of the genus Arge. It seems to be quite rare in Britain with only a handful of records, but it is difficult to

Epitranus clavatus

introduced in 1997 or earlier. Originally known from the Neotropics and Asia ( Grissel & Smith 2003 )

Haltichella rhyacioniae

Identification: look at tergite 1 to separate the two common California spp.: if smooth => H. xanticles ; if punctulate => H. rhyacioniae

Haltichella rufipes

Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required and the specimen should be examined with a microscope. In the comments box, state the key or ID method used and describe the size and identifying characters. No additional images available

Haltichella xanticles

Identification: When trying to separate the two common California species you look at tergite 1. If it is smooth then you have Haltichella xanticles . If its punctulate then you have H. rhyacioniae .