Rhopalosomatidae


Rhopalosomatidae is a family of Hymenoptera containing about 68 extant species in four genera that are found worldwide. Three fossil genera are known.
female
The adults resemble ants and may be confused with them. They are yellowish with red or brown markings, but may be all brown in colour. Winged species are usually nocturnal, while wingless or reduced-wing species are mainly diurnal. They are solitary, and the larvae are ectoparasitic on orthopteran nymphs. Adults have the tips of two or more antennal segments with spines. The hindwing has distinct claval and jugal lobes. The metatibia has a calcar or curved spur.
Rhopalosoma is a New World genus with most species from Central and South America. Olixon is distributed through Africa and Australia and the New World. Paniscomima is known from India, Madagascar, Africa, and Southeast Asia.
Most species of Liosphex are found from the southern US to Central and South America, with one species, L. trichopleurum, known from the Philippines and Indonesia. Mesorhopalosoma cearae'' is a fossil known from Brazil.

Taxonomy

The family has four extant and three extinct genera: