Braconidae

Braconidae is a large family of parasitoid wasps within the order Hymenoptera, part of the superfamily Ichneumonoidea. With tens of thousands of described species and many more undescribed, braconids are found worldwide, from tropical to temperate regions. They are typically small to medium-sized and slender, often 2 to 15 millimeters in length, with wings that show relatively simple venation. The ovipositor in Braconidae is highly variable, ranging from short to long and adapted for inserting eggs into hosts or their habitat.

Biology and life history: Braconids are parasitoids of other arthropods. Most species lay eggs in or on the bodies of host insects, and the developing larvae feed on the host, usually leading to its death. Life histories vary: some are solitary, others social or gregarious, and many are endoparasitoids of larval or pupal stages. A prominent group, Microgastrinae, commonly attack caterpillars, while Aphidiinae parasitize aphids. Some lineages attack hosts hidden in plant tissues or soil, such as Gasteruption-like species. Many braconids employ sophisticated host-d manipulation, often aided by symbiotic polydnaviruses that suppress host immune responses.

Ecology and significance: Braconidae play a major role in natural and agricultural ecosystems as regulators of pest populations. They are widely used in biological control programs to suppress pests in crops, orchards, and stored products. Hyperparasitism occurs in some species, with braconids exploiting other parasitoids as hosts.

Taxonomy: The family comprises several subfamilies, including Microgastrinae, Aphidiinae, Braconinae, Doryctinae, Opiinae, Helconinae, and Agathidinae, among others. Taxonomic work continues to refine genera and species limits, guided by morphology and increasingly by molecular data.