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Bethylidae

Bethylid wasps of the Afrotropical Region

(Life: Kingdom: Metazoa (animals); Phylum: Arthropoda; Class: Hexapoda; Order: Hymenoptera; Superfamily: Chrysidoidea)

ClassificationIdentification keys

Bethylinae
Epyrinae
Mesitiinae
Pristocerinae
Scleroderminae

Distribution

Worldwide, with highest diversity in the tropics.

Biology

Larva of Coleoptera or Lepidoptera are stung and paralysed by the adult female who lays several eggs on the larva, which is either left in situ or dragged to a concealed situation such as a crevice. The female may attend the eggs and developing larvae. Pupation occurs next to the host.

Diversity

2200 described species.

References

Alencar I.D.C.C. & Azevedo, C.O. 2011. Revision of Malagasy Odontepyris Kieffer (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae). Zootaxa 2935: 26-40. 

Alencar I.D.C.C. & Azevedo, C.O. 2011. Revision of Neurepyris Kieffer, 1905 (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae), a new synonym of Pristocera Klug, 1808. European Journal of Taxonomy 4: 1-12.

Alencar, I.D.C.C. & Azevedo, C.O. 2009. Rediscovery of Planepyris Kieffer: a new synonym of Trachepyris Kieffer (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae). Doriana 8 (363): 1-12.

Amante M, Schöller M, Hardy ICW, Russo A. 2017. Reproductive biology of Holepyris sylvanidis (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae). Biological Control 106: 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2016.12.004.

Amante M, Schöller M, Suma P, Russo A. 2017. Bethylids attacking stored-product pests: an overview. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 163: 251–264. https://doi.org/10.1111/eea.12587

Argaman, Q., 1988. A new subfamily of Bethylidae allied to Pristocerinae (Hymenoptera). Bollettino della Societŕ Entomologica Italiana 120(2): 139–152.

Argaman, Q. 2003. Generic synopsis of Mesitinae [sic] Kieffer, 1914 (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae). Entomofauna 24: 61–96.

Ashmead WH. 1893. A monograph of the North American Proctotrypidae. Bulletin of the United States National Museum of Washington 45: 463.

Ashmead WH. 1903. Descriptions of three new parasitic Hymenoptera from India. Ind. Mus. Notes 5: 2-3, 171.

Azevedo, CO. 2014. Revision of Trichiscus Benoît, 1956 (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae). Zootaxa 3802 (3): 318–334.  http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3802.3.2

Azevedo C.O. & Alencar, I.D.C.C. 2009. Rediscovery of Pristepyris Kieffer (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae), a new synonym of Acrepyris Kieffer. Zootaxa 2287: 45-54. 

Azevedo, C.O. & Alencar, I.D.C.C. 2010. Rediscovery of the Afrotropical genus Trissepyris Kieffer (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae), a new synonym of Epyris Westwood. Journal of Afrotropical Zoology 6: 3-7. 

Azevedo, C.O. 2010. Review of Afrotropical Dissomphalus (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae), with emphasis on genitalia. Journal of Afrotropical Zoology 6: 9-22. 

Azevedo, C.O. & Alencar, I.D.C.C. 2010. Rediscovery of Melanepyris (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae): a new synonym of Epyris. Zoologia 27(3): 403-407. 

Azevedo C.O., Madl, M & Olmi, M. 2010. A Catalogue of the Bethylidae, Chrysididae, Dryinidae, Embolemidae, Sclerogibbidae and Scolebythidae (Hymenoptera: Chrysidoidea) of the Malagasy Subregion. Linzer Biologische Beitrage 42(2): 845-918. 

Azevedo CO, Garcia R, Gobbi FT & van Noort S. 2015. Insecta, Hymenoptera, Bethylidae: range extension and filling gaps in Central African Republic. Check List 11: 1-4.

Azevedo CO & van Noort S. 2018. Flat wasp fauna from Cousine island, Seychelles, with description of a new species of Holepyris (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae). Atoll Research Bulletin 615: 1-12. http://opensi.si.edu/index.php/smithsonian/catalog/book/179

Azevedo CO, van Noort S. 2019. Review of Afrotropical Glenosema Kieffer (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae) with description of 13 new species. Zootaxa 4585 (3): 401–437. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4585.3.1

Azevedo CO, van Noort S & Notton DG. 2018. Rediscovery of Disepyris semiruber (Kieffer) comb. nov. (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae) in Southern Africa, with first description of its male. Journal of Natural History 52:23-24, 1537-1549, DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2018.1478997 https://doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2018.1478997

Azevedo CO, Alencar IDCCA, Ramos MS, Barbosa DN, Colombo WD, Vargas JMR, Lim J. 2018. Global guide of the flat wasps (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae). Zootaxa 4489:1–294. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4489.1.1

Barbosa DN & Azevedo CO. 2009. Laelius Ashmead (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae) from Madagascar, with description of two new species. Zootaxa 2170: 1 – 14.

Barbosa, D.N. & C.O. Azevedo. 2011. Phylogeny and reclassification of Laelius (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae) and description of four new species. Insect Systematics and Evolution 42(3): 237-275.

Barbosa DN & Azevedo CO. 2012. Revision of Mesitiinae (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae) from Madagascar, with description of eleven new species. Zootaxa 3417: 1-44.

Barbosa DN, Kawada R & Azevedo CO. 2017. Order Hymenoptera, family Bethylidae Genus Glenosema Kieffer. Arthropod fauna of the UAE 6: 322–335.

Barbosa DN  & Azevedo CO. 2020. Synopsis of Incertosulcus Móczár, 1970 (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae). Journal of Natural History 54: 1363-1393.  https://doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2020.1794073

Benoit, P.L.G.  1952.  Bethylidae (Hym.) nord africains nouveaux ou peu connus du Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Genova.  Doriana, Genoa Mus. Civ. di Storia Nat. "G. Doria." Annali 1(27):  1-7.

Benoit, P.L.G.  1956.  Contributions a l'étude de la faune entomologique du Ruanda-Urundi (Mission P. Basilewsky 1953). Hymenoptera: CXII. Bethylidae.  Ann. Mus. Roy. du Congo Belge, Tervuren. Sci. Geol. Ser. 8.  51:  560-64.

Benoit, P.L.G.  1957.  Un nouveau Sclerodermus vulnérant pur l'homme en Afrique Centrale (Hymenoptera- Bethylidae).  Soc. Roy. d'Ent. de Belg. Bull & Ann. 93(-2):  42-6.

Benoit, P.L.G.  1957.  Hymenoptera - Bethylidae.  Exploration du Parc National Albert.  Mission G. F. De Witte, 1933-1935.  Bruxelles. Inst. des Parcs Nationaux de Congo Belge, Fascicule 88:  1-57.

Benoit, P.L.G.  1963.  Monographie des Bethylidae d'Afrique noire (Hymenoptera) I. Sous-famille Pristocerinae Tribu Dicrogeniini Tribu Pristocerini, Gen. Pristocera Klug.  Ann. Mus. Roy. de l'Afrique Cent., Tervuren, Belgique.  Sci. Zool. Ser. 8 No. 119: 1-95.

Benoit, P.L.G.  1963.  Bethylides nord-africains recoltés pa M. L. Berland.  Mus. Nat. d'Histoire Nat. Bull. Ser. 2, 35(1): 82-84.

Benoit, P.L.G.  1963.  Rectifications ŕ ma revision des Bethylidae (Hymenoptera) africains, Vol. 1.  Zool. et de bot. Afr. Revue 67(1-2):  5-10.

Benoit, P.L.G.  1967.  Un Bethylide nouveau, Cephalonomia mateui n. sp. parasite de Coléoptčres xylophages au Sahara. Zool. et de bot. Afr. Rev. 76(3-4):  341-44. 

Benoit, P.L.G.  1968.  Contribution ŕ l'étude des espčces africaines du genre Mesitius Spinola (Hym. Bethylidae).  Zool. et de bot. Afr. Revue 77(1-2):  83-94. 

Benoit, P.L.G.  1981.  Bethylidae africains (Hymenoptera).  La Tribu Usakosiini.  Rev. Zool. Afr. 95(4):  833-42. 

Benoit, P.L.G.  1982.  Bethylidae africains. II. (Hymenoptera).  Le genre Kathepyris Kieffer.  Rev. Zool. Afr. 96(1): 185-92. 

Benoit, P.L.G.  1982.  Bethylidae africains. III. Le Genre Diepyris Benoid (Hymenoptera).  Rev. Zool. Afr. 96(3):  509-21.

Benoit, P.L.G.  1986.  Bethylidae africains (Hymenoptera): V. le genre Trichiscus.  Rev. Zool. Afr. 99(3):  293-98. 

Bequaert, J.  1924.  Un Hymenoptere Bethylide qui piqu l'homme dans les habitations au Congo.  Soc. Belge de Med. Trop. Ann. 4:  163-65. 

Berland, L.  1951.  Super-famille des Bethyloidea.  Traité de Zool. 10(2):  906-16, 976-87. 

Brothers, D. J., 1975. Phylogeny and classification of the aculeate Hymenoptera, with special reference to Mutillidae. Univ. Kansas Sci. Bull., 50: 483-648.
Brothers, D. J. & J. M. Carpenter, 1993.
Phylogeny of Aculeata: Chrysidoidea and Vespoidea (Hymenoptera). Journal of Hymenoptera Research 2: 227-304.

Carpenter, J. M., 1986. Cladistics of the Chrysidoidea (Hymenoptera). Jour. New York Ent. Soc., 94: 303-330.
Carpenter, J. M., 1990.
On Brother's aculeate phylogeny. Sphecos, (19): 9-12.

Dahlbom, A. G. 1954.Hymenoptera Europaea Praecipue Borealia. Friderici Nicolai, Berlin 2: 1-412.

Colombo WD & Azevedo CO. 2023. Synopsis of Trissepyris Kieffer, 1905 (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae), an endemic Afrotropical genus, with description of a new species. Zoosystema 45 (4): 129-135. https://doi.org/10.5252/zoosystema2023v45a4

Dalla Torre, C. G. De, 1898. Bethylinae, Pristocerinae. In Catalogus Hymenopterorum hucusque descriptorum Systematicus et synonymicus. Chalcididae et Proctotrupidae, 5: 1-598

Finnamore, A.T. & Brothers, D.J. 1993. Superfamily Chrysidoidea (pp. 130-160). In GOULET, H. & HUBER, J. (eds). Hymenoptera of the World: an identification guide to families. Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, Canada, 668 pp.

Gordh, G., & H. E. Evans. 1976. A new species of Goniozus imported into California from Ethiopia for the biological control of pink bollworm and some notes on the taxonomic status of Parasierola and Goniozus (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae). Proc. Entomol. Soc. Wash. 78: 479-489.

Gordh, G. & L. Móczár, 1990. A catalog of the World Bethylidae (Hymenoptera: Aculeata). Mem. Amer. Ent. Inst., (46): 1-364.

Kieffer, J.J.  1905.  Nouveaux Proctotrypides exotiques conservés au Musée Civique de Genes.  Ann. Mus. Civico Storia Nat. Genova Ser 3, 2(42):  9-39.

Kieffer JJ.  1905.  Description de nouveaux Proctotrypides exotiques avec une planche et und figure dans le ltexte.  Annales de la Société Scientifique de Bruxelles 29(2): 95-142.

Kieffer, J.J.  1905.  Description de nouveaux Hyménoptčres exotiques.  Soc. Hist. Nat. Metz Bull. 24:  85-114.

Kieffer, J.J.  1905.  Proctotrypides.  In:  Ernest Andrée (ed.), Species des Hyménoptčres d'Europe & d'Algerie.  A. Hermann, Paris 9:  65-288.

Kieffer, J.J. 1910. Description de nouveaux Bethylides (Hymen.). Ann. Soc. Ent. France 79: 136-140.

Kieffer JJ. 1911. Cynipides et Béthylides de l’Afrique du sud (Hymenopt.). Ann. Soc. Entomol. France. 80: 451–462.

Kieffer, J.J.  1913.  Nouveau microhyménoptčres de l'Afrique equatoriale.  Lab. Zool. Gen. Agrar. R. Scuola Sup. Agricol. Portici Boll. 7:  105-108. 

Kieffer, J.J.  1913.  Serphides de l'ile de Lucon.  Lab. Zool. Gen. Agr. R. Scuola Sup. Agricol. Portici Boll. 7:  189-92. 

Kieffer, J.J.  1913.  Insectes Hyménoptčres I. Proctotrupidae, Cynipidae et Evaniidae.  In:  Voyage de Ch. Alluaud et R. Jeannel en Afrique Orientale (1911-1912).  Albert Schulz Paris.  p. 5-9. 

Kieffer, J.J.  1913.  Nouveaux Serphides de l'Afrique du Sud.  Lab. Zool. Gen. Agrar. R. Scuola Sup. Agricol. Portici Boll. 7:  324-31.

Kieffer, J.J., 1914. Bethylinae. In Das Tierreich, R. Friedlander und Sohn, Berlin, 41: 228-595.

Kieffer JJ 1921. Nouveaux Bethylides du Soudan Égyptien. Annales de la Société Scientifique de Bruxelles 40: 111-114.

Krombein, K.V., 1992. Systematics of the genera of Epyrinae with ramose male antennae (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae). Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington 94: 345-360.

Lanes, G.O. & Azevedo, C.O. 2008. Phylogeny and Taxonomy of Sclerodermini (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae, Epyrinae). Insect Systematics and Evolution 39: 55-86. 

Lim J, Azevedo CO. 2014. Five new species of Disepyris Kieffer, 1905 (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae), with emended generic diagnosis. Zootaxa. 3900: 526–540. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3900.4.4.Marques WJ, Colombo WD, Azevedo CO. 2023. Insights into the systematics of Afrotropical Laelius (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae): combining molecular and morphological data to associate dimorphic species. Zoologischer Anzeiger 306: 90-107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcz.2023.07.003

Móczár, L., 1970. Mesitinae of world with new genera and species. I. (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae). Acta Zool. Acad. Sci. Hung.,16: 175-203.
Móczár, L., 1970.
Mestinae of the world, genera Sulcomesitius Móczár and Metrionotus Móczár. II. (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae). Acta Zool. Acad. Scien. Hung. 16(3-4): 409-451.
Móczár, L. 1970. Two new species of Sulcomesitius Móczár (Hym., Bethylidae). Acta Biol. Szeged. 16: 163-65.

Móczár, L. 1970. New Mesitinae from Madagascar (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae). Ann. Hist-Nat. Mus. Nat. Hung.Pars Zoologica 61: 317-20.

Móczár, L. 1970. Parvoculus myrmecophilus new genus and new species from Kinshasa-Congo (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae). Opuscula Zool. Budapest 10(1): 151-53.

Móczár, L. 1971. Pycnomesitius new genus from Bethylidae (Hymenoptera). Acta Biol. Szeged. 17: 167-69.

Móczár, L., 1971. Mesitinae of world, genera "Mesitius Spinola", Pilomesitius Móczár, Parvoculus Móczár, Pycnomesitius Móczár and Heterocoelia Dahlbom. III. (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae). Acta Zool. Acad. Sci. Hung.,17: 295-332.

Mugrabi, D.F. & Azevedo, C.O. 2010. Insecta, Hymenoptera, Bethylidae: range extension and filling gaps in Madagascar. Check List 6(1): 62-63.

Nagy, C. G., 1969. Sur la sous-famille Mesitinae Berland (Hym., Bethylidae). Agigea Leucrarile Statiunea Zool. Marina, 3: 275-300.
Nagy, C. G., 1972. Taxonomic remarks on Mesitinar [sic.] (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae). Mem. Soc. Ent. Ital., 51: 5-18.
Nagy, C. G., 1974. A new bethylid subfamily allied to Protopristocerinae. Bull. Soc. Ent. Ital., 106: 126-130.
Polaszek, P. & K. V. Krombein, 1994. The genera of Bethylinae (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae). Journal of Hymenoptera Research 3: 91-105.

Ramos M.S. & Azevedo C.O. 2016. Afrobethylus Ramos & Azevedo, gen. nov., a new remarkable Afrotropical genus of Bethylinae (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae). Zootaxa 4097 (4): 495–510.

Stein, P.R.W. & Azevedo, C.O. 2011. Revision of Epyris afer (Magretti, 1884), comb. rev. (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae) with new synonymy and description of two new species. Zootaxa 3032: 17-32.

Terayama, M., 1995a. The phylogeny of the bethylid wasp tribe Sclerodermini (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae). Proceedings of the Japanese Society of Systematic Zoology 54: 65-73.
Terayama, M., 1995b. Phylogeny and distribution of the subfamily Bethylinae (Hymenoptera: Chrysidoidea: Bethylidae). Bulletin of the Biogeographical Society of Japan 50: 1-9.
Terayama, M., 1996. The phylogeny of the bethylid wasp subfamily Pristocerinae (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae). Jpn. Jour. Ent., 64: 587-601.

Terayama, M., 2003. Phylogenetic systematics of the family Bethylidae (Insecta: Hymenoptera) Part I. Higher classification. The Academic Reports of the Faculty of Engineering of Tokyo Polytechnic University 26: 1-15.

Terayama, M., 2004. Descriptions of new taxa and distribution records of the family Bethylidae (Insecta, Hymenoptera) I. Subfamily Pristocerinae. The Academic Reports of the Faculty of Engineering of Tokyo Polytechnic University 27: 22-38.

Turner, R. E. 1915. Notes on fossorial Hymenoptera. XVIT. On new Ethiopian species. Ann. kg. Nat. Hist. Ser. 8. 16: 286-299.
Turner, R. E. 1917. New species of Hymenoptera in the British Museum. Trans. Entomol. Soc. London 65: 53-84.
Turner, R. E. 1928. New Hymenoptera of the family Bethylidae. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. 31: 129-152.
Turner, R. E. & Waterston, J. 1916. A new parasite bred from Glossina morsitans in Nyasaland. Bull. Entomol . Res. 7:133-135.
Turner, R. E. & Waterston, J. 1917. Notes on the hymenopterous families Bethylidae and Rhopalosomatidae. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. 20: 101-108.

Turner, R. E. 1928. New Hymenoptera of the family Bethylidae. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 1: 129-152.

van Noort S & Azevedo CO. 2019. Discovery of the male of the rare Afrotropical species Tuberepyris codex Azevedo & Mugrabi (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae). African Entomology 27(1): 43–48. https://doi.org/10.4001/003.027.0043

Vargas JM, Azevedo CO. 2016. Three new species of Pararhabdepyris Gorbatovsky (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae) from Central Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Zootaxa 4117(3): 429-39. doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.4117.3.10.

Vargas JM, Colombo WD, Azevedo CO. 2020. Revisited phylogeny of Scleroderminae (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae) reveals a plastic evolutionary history. Arthropod Systematics & Phylogeny 78(2): 217-243. https://doi.org/10.26049/ASP78-2-2020-02

Waichert, C. & Azevedo, C.O. 2009. Phylogenetic analysis of Rhabdepyris (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae) and redefinition of generic limits based on morphological characters. Zootaxa 2284: 1–29.

Waichert C. & Azevedo C.O. 2012. The genus Prorops Waterson, 1923 (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae) from Madagascar. European Journal of Taxonomy 16: 1-11. http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2012.16

Westwood, J. O., 1832. Descriptions of several new British forms amongst the parasitic hymenopterous insects. London and Edinburgh Philosophical Magazine & Journal of Science, Ser. 3, 1: 127-129.

Credits

Photographs © Simon van Noort (Iziko Museums of South Africa) or

© Magno S. Ramos & Celso O. Azevedo (Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo).
 

Next family: Chrysididae


Web author Simon van Noort (Iziko South African Museum)

 

Citation: van Noort, S. 2024. WaspWeb: Hymenoptera of the World. URL: www.waspweb.org (accessed on <day/month/year>).

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