1187 



Superfamily CERAPHRONOIDEA 



By Carl F. W. Muesebeck 



Superfamily rank for this group was first proposed by Masner in 1956 (Acta Faun. Ent. Mus. 

 Nat. Pragae 1: 101), although without indication of basic differences from the Proctotrupoidea. 

 In 1967, however, Masner and Dessart (Inst. Roy. Sci. Nat. de Belg., Bui. 43: 1-33) defined the 

 superfamily in detail and recognized it as comprising two families, Ceraphronidae and 

 Megaspilidae, the latter being divided into the subfamilies Megaspilinae and Lagynodinae. This 

 classification appears to be sound. The members of this superfamily are remarkable for the pos- 

 session of two apical spurs on the anterior tibiae. 



In his 1914 revision of this group Kieffer used the name Calliceratidae, based on Calliceras 

 Nees, 1834, since Ceraplivon Jurine, 1807, which had been considered the type-genus of the fami- 

 ly, was a junior homonym of Cemphrou Panzer, 1805. Kieffer was generally followed in the 

 literature of the succeeding thirty years. However, in its Opinion 174, issued in 1946, the Inter- 

 national Commission on Zoological Nomenclature suppressed Ceraphron Panzer, under suspen- 

 sion of the Rules, and validated Ceraphron Jurine with C. sulcatus Jurine, 1807, as type-species; 

 since then the names Ceraphron and Ceraphronidae have again come into general use. 



Apparently species of this superfamily are largely hyperparasites, developing especially on 

 larvae of Aphidiidae, Braconidae, Ichneumonidae, Bethylidae, Dryinidae and Tachinidae. Some, 

 however, are evidently primary parasites of Aleyrodidae, various small Diptera (i. e., Cecido- 

 myiidae, Phoridae), certain neuropteroids and some cynipoid gall-makers; others occur in ant 

 nests where they presumably develop as parasites of certain myrmecophilous Diptera. 



Revision: Ashmead, 1893. U. S. Natl. Mus., Bui. 45: 102-136 (North American species). 

 -Kieffer, 1907. In Andre, Spec. Hym. Eur. Alg., v. 10, pp. 5-261, 10 pis. (Old World 

 species). —Kieffer, 1909. In Wytsman, Gen. Ins., fasc. 94, 24 pp., 2 pis. (generic key and 

 assignment of species). —Kieffer, 1914. Das Tierreich, Lief. 42, pp. 63-238 (World fauna). 

 -Dodd, 1914. Roy. Soc. So. Austral., Trans. 38: 85-118 (Australian fauna). — Hellen, 1966. 

 Fauna Fennica 20: 3-45 (Finnish forms). 



Taxonomy: Haliday, 1834. Ent. Mag. 1: 272. — HaHday, 1839. Hymenoptera Britannica, Hym. 

 Synopsis, p. ii. — Foerster, 1856. Hym. Stud., v. 2, pp. 27, 97-99. —Ashmead, 1903. N. Y. 

 Ent. Soc, Jour. 11: 33-35. —Masner, 1956. Acta Faun. Ent. Mus. Nat. Pragae 1: 101. 

 — Dessart, 1962. Soc. Roy. d'Ent. de Belg., Bui. et Ann. 98: 305-309 (key to genera). 

 —Masner and Dessart, 1967. Inst. Roy. Sci. Nat. de Belg., Bui. 43: 1-33. 



Morphology: Reid, 1941. Roy. Ent. Soc. London, Trans. 91: 429-430. —Masner and Dessart, 

 1967. Inst. Roy. Sci. Nat. de Belg., Bui. 43: 6-25. 



Family CERAPHRONIDAE 



This family is treated here as restricted by Masner and Dessart in 1967. 



