Audrionidae

Audrionidae is a family of small to medium-sized insects belonging to the order Hymenoptera, which includes sawflies, wasps, and bees. The family is characterized by its distinctive wing venation, with a unique pattern of veins that is not found in any other hymenopteran family. Audrionidae are primarily found in the Southern Hemisphere, with a few species occurring in the Northern Hemisphere.

The family Audrionidae was first described by the German entomologist Johann Friedrich Wilhelm Herbst in 1820. It is currently divided into two subfamilies: Audrioninae and Euceropinae. Audrioninae includes species with a more primitive wing venation, while Euceropinae has a more derived venation pattern.

Audrionidae are often referred to as "ant lions" due to their habit of hunting ants, similar to the behavior of the true ant lions (Myrmeleontidae). They are solitary wasps that lay their eggs in the soil, where the larvae develop and feed on ants.

The family Audrionidae is of interest to entomologists due to its unique wing venation and its role in the ecosystem as predators of ants. However, there is limited information available about the biology and ecology of these insects, and further research is needed to better understand their natural history.