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 currently described. 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.
Banchinae is a subfamily of ichneumonid parasitoid wasps containing about 1,500 species; the genera Glypta and Lissonota are very large. The three tribes are all distributed worldwide.
Ophioninae is a worldwide subfamily of Ichneumonidae, comprising 32 genera and exhibiting high diversity in tropical regions. They are koinobiont endoparasitoids of larval Lepidoptera, although at least one species parasitizes Scarabaeidae (Coleoptera). Notably, they are among the few species within Parasitica whose ovipositors are capable of stinging vertebrates. Pupae of Ophioninae are ovoid and feature a distinct central clear band, which is a characteristic trait of this subfamily. These insects are typically large, slender, and orange, with compressed and curved abdomens. They possess prominent ocelli and are primarily active during the night, often being attracted to light sources.
Lycorininae is a monotypic subfamily of ichneumon wasps. The mere thirty species or so comprise the single genus Lycorina. In older sources, they may be included in the Banchinae.
Ctenopelmatinae is a cosmopolitan subfamily of ichneumonid parasitoid wasps.
Pimplinae are a worldwide subfamily of the parasitic wasp family Ichneumonidae.
The Metopiinae are a worldwide subfamily of the parasitic wasp family Ichneumonidae. Metopiinae are koinobiont endoparasitoids of Lepidoptera. There are 26 extant genera. A bulging shield-like face is diagnostic for members of this subfamily, but many members lack this character.
Acaenitinae is a subfamily of the parasitic wasp family Ichneumonidae. It is distributed on all continents except Antarctica, although only one specimen (from the genus Arotes has ever been discovered in South America. Little is known of the Acaenitinae. The only reared species was a koinobiont endoparasitoid of a weevil. There are 24 genera. Hosts are believed to be Coleoptera larvae in wood. Female Acaenitinae have a large triangular projecting genital plate.
Ichneumoninae is a worldwide subfamily of the parasitic wasp family Ichneumonidae.
Campopleginae is a large subfamily of the parasitoid wasp family Ichneumonidae with a world-wide distribution. Species in this subfamily have been used in the biological control of the alfalfa weevil, clover weevil, various species of Heliothis, oriental army worm, European corn borer, larch sawfly, and others.
Mesochorinae is a worldwide subfamily of the parasitic wasp family Ichneumonidae.
Cremastinae is a worldwide subfamily of the parasitic wasp family Ichneumonidae.
Tersilochinae is a worldwide subfamily of the parasitic wasp family Ichneumonidae.
The Labeninae is a subfamily within the parasitic wasp family Ichneumonidae . There are 12 extant genera, grouped within four tribes, that exhibit a predominantly Gondwanan distribution - most genera and species are found in Australia and South America. A few species of Labena and Grotea are found in North America, with hypotheses suggesting that the group radiated on Gondwanaland prior to the separation of Australia but after the separation of Africa/India/Madagascar.
Amblyteles is a genus of parasitic wasps in the family Ichneumonidae.
Aptesini is a tribe of ichneumon wasps in the family Ichneumonidae. There are 24 described genera.
Trogus is a genus of parasitoid wasp found in the Holarctic and Neotropic regions. It is placed in the subfamily Ichneumoninae and the tribe Ichneumonini. Trogus species are parasites of larvae and pupae of the swallowtail butterfly family, Papilionidae. The genus consists of twelve extant and one extinct species.
Enicospilini is a tribe of Ichneumonidae wasp, parasitizing Lepidoptera larva.
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.
Habronyx fulvipes is a species of parasitic ichneumon wasp. It was renamed by Townes, Momoi and Townes in 1965 ; prior to that the species had been named Habronyx chinensis, chinensis meaning "China", in 1955 by Japanese entomologist Toichi Uchida. The holotype and allotype were collected by R. Mell. The species was first named Exochilum Chinense by Morley in 1913.
