io z. bouCek 



characters, the gaps between the relevant groups and the measure which is taken 

 in comparing the families. I feel that family rank for Leucospidae is much more 

 justified than in, for example, some groups of bees, quite apart from higher 

 animals such as mammals. 



There are no fossil records to offer any lead as to how old the group may be. 

 Some characters, for example the unspecialized dense pilosity of the wings with 

 many veins indicated by darker shades or folds (cf. also Burks, 1938), seem to 

 point to a relative primitiveness among the Chalcid flies. Some other characters, 

 often regarded as specialized (apomorphic) , for example the ovipositor bent over 

 the gaster, may not be of such value; the latter position of the ovipositor is normal 

 in the parasitic Hymenoptera with a long ovipositor in the pupal stage and in 

 Leucospidae it is retained into the adult stage. 



Body of relatively large size (2-3-16-5 mm), heavily sclerotized, mainly black or brownish, 

 often partly to extensively red (varying extent of rufinism), as a rule with yellow or whitish 

 markings, and in the Americas and the Indo-Australian region often with metallic tinge; in- 

 cluding the gaster relatively coarsely punctured and pubescent, though hairs usually not long. 



Head densely punctured or rugulose-punctured, face with rather dense short pubescence. 

 Eyes large, pubescent, inner margin more or less emarginate in upper third. Ocelli normal, 

 usually large. Occipital carina mostly developed, often sharp, but temples at lower part of eye 

 and genae terete and strongly receding to conspicuous hypostomal carina; malar sulcus fine or 

 indistinct. Antennal scrobes very deep, carinate at margin, reaching near to median ocellus. 

 Frons above more or less elevated (frontal protuberances) ; flat or slightly convex interantennal 

 area triangular, often with median keel, in almost same plane as its lower part called the 

 supraclypeal area, which is usually well delimited. Clypeus always large, more or less 

 trapezoidal or subquadrangular (Text-figs i, 7, 15); tentorial pits indistinct; lower margin of 

 clypeus free, usually produced. Labrum not traceable. Mandibles with upper edge hidden 

 (when closed) behind mouth margin (or clypeus), generally with two teeth, the upper tooth then 

 often broad and eventually double. Labio-maxillary complex well developed (Text-figs II, 

 17, 18), with long glossa emarginate at apex; labial palpus 3-segmented, maxillary palpus 

 usually rather long and 4-segmented, rarely rudimentary (Polistomorpha) . Antennae 13- 

 segmented (Text-fig. 9); scapus at most about 3-5 times as long as broad; pedicellus short; 

 flagellar segments with basal one not reduced to anellus but narrowed at base; funicle counted 

 therefore as 8-segmented and remaining three segments regarded as clava (its apical segment 

 very short, indistinct and often appearing double), although the first segment is well separated, 

 its suture being almost as conspicuous as those between preceding segments. The antennal 

 segmentation was discussed by Habu (1961 : 85-86). Antennae of both sexes subequal, with 

 very short dense pubescence, sensilla minute and not conspicuous. 



Thorax with large pronotum, often with transverse carinae; sides of collar (pronotal dorsum) 

 subparallel or slightly converging forwards, sometimes concave in middle; anterior corners 

 always conspicuous; lateral panel not high (Text-fig. 4), convex or with subhorizontal depression, 

 posteriorly often with adspiracular emargination. Mesoscutum only rarely with vague 

 notaular depressions, these never groove-like; parapsidal furrows reduced to short (often slit- 

 like) but distinct vestiges posteriorly at lateral corners. Scutellum not subdivided, its hind 

 margin low, rounded or subtruncate; frenum not developed. Axillae very short, their hind 

 part vertical, outer corner more or less tooth-like. Metanotum with well differentiated 

 dorsellum, latter often of characteristic form, sometimes carinate or even toothed at margin. 

 Propodeum punctured or rugose-punctured, always pilose, mostly with distinct median carina 

 and simple sublateral plicae but without further carinae or regular alveolae ; spiracles narrowly 

 reniform, situated in anterior part of large sublateral furrows. Prepectus showing as small 

 movable sclerite below anterior end of the unusually elongate spatulate tegula. Mesopleurum 

 with deep depression beneath, to accept mid femur and tibia; upper part punctured, distinctly 



