Family MYMAROMMATIDAE

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Introduction

This family was previously placed in the Chalcidoidea but is now considered to be in a separate superfamily, Mymarommatoidea. Mymarommatids are tiny wasps (<1 mm) that are characterised by having a strongly convex face; a pleated membrane across the vertex of the head which can move in a bellows-like fashion; the fore wing spoon-shaped and veinless with a long marginal fringe (as in most Mymaridae); the hind wing stalk-like; and petiole 2-segmented. Currently the family comprises less than 20 described species in four genera world-wide, of which Mymaromma (two species) and Mymaromella (one species) are recorded from Australia. Nothing is known about their host associations, but because of their size and simple ovipositor it has been hypothesised that they are idiobiont parasitoids on the eggs of various insects (like mymarids). They are sometimes collected using yellow pan traps.

Jennings & Austin (2015) list 2 unidentified species from Lord Howe Island in the Australian Museum.

Diagnosis

Petiole long, slender and composed of two distinct segments, the first of which is reticulate. Fore and hind wings stalked; fore wing with sculpture on the blade. Mandibles turning outward (exodont).

General References

Gibson, G.A.P., Reid, J. & Huber, J.T. 2007. Diversity, classification and higher relationships of Mymarommatoidea (Hymenoptera). Journal of Hymenoptera Research 16: 51-146

Jennings, J.T. & Austin, A.D. 2015. Synopsis of the hymenopteran fauna of Lord Howe Island with a preliminary checklist of species. Zootaxa 3931(3): 423–432

History of changes