TAXONOMICAL STUDIES OF FAMILY SIGNIPHORIDAE (Chalcidoidea) in Egypt

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Plant Protection Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Dokki, Giza, Egypt.

Abstract

Family: Signiphoridae (Chalcidoidea) is primarily hyperparasitoids on scale insects, whiteflies and mealybugs through other Chalcidoidea. Several species are primary parasitoids of armored scales and mealybugs. The present work dealt with the members of this family as to exist in Egypt. The results indicated that family Signiphoridae has five species, i.e. Chartocerus nigra (Ashmead), Chartocerus subaeneus (Forester), Signiphora fax Girault, Signiphora flavella Girault and Thysanus sp. Also, the constructed key for the Egyptian species is included.