The Ichneumonidae, also known as ichneumon wasps, ichneumonid wasps, ichneumonids, or Darwin wasps, are a family of parasitoid wasps of the insect order Hymenoptera. They are one of the most diverse groups within the Hymenoptera with roughly 25,000 species described as of 2016. However, this likely represents less than a quarter of their true richness as reliable estimates are lacking, along with much of the most basic knowledge about their ecology, distribution, and evolution. It is estimated that there are more species in this family than there are species of birds and mammals combined. Ichneumonid wasps, with very few exceptions, attack the immature stages of holometabolous insects and spiders, eventually killing their hosts. They thus fulfill an important role as regulators of insect populations, both in natural and semi-natural systems, making them promising agents for biological control.
Cryptinae is a subfamily of wasps in the family Ichneumonidae. The family has also been called Gelinae, Hemitelinae, and Phygadeuontinae by various authorities, though the Phygadeuontinae have since been elevated to a separate subfamily.
Pimplinae are a worldwide subfamily of the parasitic wasp family Ichneumonidae.
Acaenitinae is a subfamily of the parasitoid wasp family Ichneumonidae. Female Acaenitinae have a large triangular projecting genital plate.
Tersilochinae is a worldwide subfamily of the parasitic wasp family Ichneumonidae.
The Labeninae is a subfamily within the parasitoid wasp family Ichneumonidae. The family is divided into 12 extant genera grouped within four tribes.
Areyongalepis is a genus of prehistoric jawless fish that lived during the Ordovician period.
Westwoodia is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the subfamily Ctenopelmatinae. A neotropical genus of butterflies was known as Westwoodia but is now referred to as Xenandra.
Anomalon is a large genus of parasitoid wasps belonging to the family Ichneumonidae. This may be the only genus in the tribe Anomalonini, although Neogreeneia Viereck, 1912 is sometimes considered a valid genus of the tribe.
Polysphincta is a genus belonging to the family Ichneumonidae subfamily Pimplinae.
Netelia is a genus of ichneumonid wasps in the subfamily Tryphoninae. There are over 330 described species in Netelia grouped into 12 subgenera.
Triclistus is a genus of ichneumon wasps in the family Ichneumonidae. There are at least 90 described species in Triclistus.
Acrotaphus is a genus of ichneumon wasps in the family Ichneumonidae. There are about 26 described species in Acrotaphus. They are parasitoids of Araneidae and Tetragnathidae spider families.
Zatypota is a genus of ichneumon wasps in the family Ichneumonidae. There are at least 40 described species in Zatypota.
Habronyx is a genus of parasitoid wasps belonging to the family Ichneumonidae. The species of this genus are found in Europe, Australia, and North and South America.
Syzeuctus is a genus of parasitoid wasps belonging to the family Ichneumonidae.
Netelia producta is a species of ichneumonid wasp in the subfamily Tryphoninae found in Australia.
Listrodromus is a genus of ichneumon wasps belonging to the family Ichneumonidae. These wasps are parasitoids of butterflies of the family Lycaenidae, laying eggs in the caterpillars.
Stiromesostenus is an Australian genus of ichneumon wasps in the subfamily Cryptinae. There are two recognised species, S. albiorbitalis and S. rufus, and potentially seven undescribed species.
