Xyleninae

Xyleninae is a subfamily of ichneumonid wasps in the family Ichneumonidae, within the order Hymenoptera. Members of this subfamily are parasitoids that lay their eggs in or on other insects, and the developing larvae feed on the host, eventually killing it.

The subfamily is diverse and broadly distributed, with many described species across temperate and tropical regions. Species can be found in a range of habitats where potential hosts occur, including forests, woodlands, and agricultural landscapes.

Biology and host use: Most Xyleninae are parasitoids of larval stages of other insects, especially Lepidoptera (caterpillars) and sawflies; some are known to attack beetle larvae or other insect hosts. Females typically use the ovipositor to insert eggs into hosts or into plant tissue containing latent hosts. Development proceeds inside the host, and the wasp emerges as an adult after pupation.

Ecology and importance: As parasitoids, members of Xyleninae contribute to regulating insect populations and can influence ecological communities. Some species have been studied for potential use in biological control of pest insects, although many taxa remain poorly understood.

Taxonomy and identification: Xyleninae is recognized as a subfamily within Ichneumonidae, distinguished by a combination of morphological traits used by ichneumonid systematists. Diagnostic features require careful examination of structures such as wing venation, metasomal segmentation, and sculpturing, typically under magnification.