Anomaloninae


Anomaloninae is a subfamily of parasitoid wasps in the family Ichneumonidae. Several species provide beneficial services to humans by attacking forest or orchard pests.

Description and distribution

Species of Anomaloninae are slender, range in size from small to large, and are usually black or brownish in color. Yellow markings on the face and legs are common. One of the most distinguishing characteristics of this subfamily is the highly reticulated propodeum.
Species are found worldwide.

Biology and behavior

Anomalonines are koinobiont endoparasitoids of Lepidoptera or Coleoptera. Eggs are laid by females into the larval host, but the host is allowed to continue development to the pupal stage. Adult wasps emerge from the host pupa.
They are found in nearly all forested habitats, and unlike most other groups of ichneumonids, are also fairly common in dry habitats.
Anomalonines fly slowly in a characteristic pose, with the metasoma elevated, antennae outstretched, and legs held out behind them.

Genera

These 45 genera belong to the subfamily Anomaloninae:
Data sources: i = ITIS, c = Catalogue of Life, g = GBIF, b = Bugguide.net