Family MENGENILLIDAE
Compiler and date details
T.R. New, Department of Zoology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
Introduction
The family Mengenillidae is poorly understood in Australia. Although about 20 species are known from Australia, only two species of Mengenilla Hofeneder have been described from the fauna. The genus is widespread in many parts of the world.
Taxonomically, Mengenillidae are an isolated family; they are the only extant group of Mengenillidia. Males are distinguished from those of all other Strepsiptera by having 5-segmented tarsi with strong claws; although 5-segmented tarsi occur in some Corioxenidae, in that family the tarsal claws are very weak. Antennae are 6-segmented. Females are free-living, with eyes, antennae and legs, in contrast to females of all other Strepsiptera.
No host records are available for Australian mengenillids but elsewhere Mengenillidae are known to parasitise Thysanura.
General References
Kathirithamby, J. 1991. Strepsiptera. pp. 684-695 in CSIRO (ed.). The Insects of Australia. A textbook for students and research workers. Melbourne : Melbourne University Press Vol. 2 pp. 543-1137.
History of changes
| Published | As part of group | Action Date | Action Type | Compiler(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12-Feb-2010 | (import) |