Raphidae

Raphidae is a family of insects belonging to the order Hymenoptera. This family is characterized by its members' distinctive physical features and their ecological roles, primarily as parasitoids. Raphidae are commonly known as "long-tailed wasps" due to the elongated ovipositor found in females, which they use to deposit eggs into or onto host organisms. The size of Raphidae can vary, but many species are relatively small. Their coloration also differs, with some exhibiting drab brown or black hues, while others display more vibrant patterns.

The life cycle of Raphidae is a classic example of parasitism. Adult females locate suitable hosts, often insect larvae or pupae, and use their ovipositors to lay eggs. These eggs hatch into larvae that feed on the host's tissues, eventually killing it. This parasitic relationship makes Raphidae important natural enemies of various pest insects, playing a role in biological control within ecosystems. Their host specificity can be quite high, meaning individual Raphidae species may target only a narrow range of host insects. The exact diversity and distribution of Raphidae are subjects of ongoing entomological research, with new species and their ecological interactions continually being discovered.