101a (100a). Three ocelli
present; palpi normally prominent; proboscis adapted for piercing (Figs.A-E);
top of head hollowed out
between eyes; abdomen tapering or oval; lobe
A
(alula) usually at base of wing (both
larvae & adults are predators)
....(Diptera) .. Asilidae
101b. One
ocellus or none present; antennae with 4 segments; palpi vestigial; proboscis
with
fleshy
labellae (= exposed tip of labium);
large flies (Figs.A-C) (both larvae & adults
are predators)..............................................................................
................
......(Diptera) Mydaidae
102a (100b). Costa continues around
wing.............................................................................
...............103
102b. Costa reaches only to wing apex; 4th vein
(M-1) ends before wing tip; 3
posterior cells
(Figs.A-B) (larvae are predators of larvae of Coleoptera).. A...................(Diptera) Scenopinidae
103a (102a). Wing has 5 posterior
cells.......................................................................................
...........104
103b. Wing has at most 4
posterior
cells..........................................................................
............
.........105
104a (103a). Fourth vein
(M-1) ends beyond apex of wing (Figs.A-C) (larvae & adults are
A
predators of other arthropods)
.........................................
......................(Diptera) Therevidae
104b. Fourth vein (M-1) ends before apex of wing (Fig.A) (both adults
& larvae are
predatorsof other arthropods; rare in arid regions of western
North America) ...................
............................................................................................
...........................(Diptera) Apioceridae
105a (103b). Anal cell
open or closed near wing margin; antennal style short, never longer than
3rd
antennal segment; body usually hairy, stocky and somewhat humpbacked; brown or
grayish
flies (Figs.A-C) (parasitize a variety of immature arthropods; most common
in southwestern United States)....... A..............................
..................(Diptera) Bombyliidae
105b. Anal cell short and closed far from wing
margin; anal vein does not reach wing margin;
antennal
style (= bristle) usually longer
than 3rd antennal segment; body usually bare,
slender and
black (Fig.A) (predators of
small arthropods).......
...............(Diptera) Empididae
106a (99b). Wing normal, not obviously rounded apically; venation
normal.....
..............................107
106b. Wing rounded apically; veins very well
developed anteriorly; antennae appear 1-
segmented with long arista
(= bristle on apical segment); long hind legs and flattened
femora; body humpbacked (Fig.A) (parasitoids of
ant pupae, larvae & pupae of
Lepidoptera &
Hymenoptera; some species are predators ... A.......
....(Diptera) Phoridae
107a (106a). Spurious vein
(= vein-like thickening of wing membrane between 2 true veins) in
wing
absent; anal cell usually
short....................................................
..........................108
107b. Spurious vein in wing present; anal cell
long, closed near wing margin; body brightly
colored;
they resemble bees or wasps) (Figs.A-E) (predators of Homoptera)
A
......................................................................................................
.......................(Diptera) Syrphidae
108a (107a). Frontal lanule (= crescent-shaped sclerite above
base of antennae) completely
absent...........................................................................................
...................................109
108b. Frontal lunule
present as a crescent-shaped sclerite above
antennae...............
....................111
109a (108a). Head normal, not exceptionally large; front and face usually
wide........
.....................110
109b. Head large, hemispherical; front and face
narrow; probosis small and soft; body stocky
and humpbacked, brown or grayish (Figs.A-B) (parasitoids of
treehoppers & leafhoppers)
........A..
.(Diptera) Pipunculidae
110a (109a). Crossvein r-m located beyond basal 1/4th of wing;
anal cell pointed apically;
proboscis
usually rigid; body not metallic; %% genitalia terminal, not folded under
abdomen
(Fig.A); relatively slender and usually black flies (adults and
larvae are A
predaceous on smaller
insects) (please also refer to couplet 105)..
...........(Diptera) Empididae
110b. Crossvein r-m located in basal 1/4th of wing; 2nd basal and discal cells
united; anal cell
when
present rounded apically; body usually metallic; %% genitalia frequently folded
forward
under abdomen (Fig.A) (predators of
small arthropods) .......................
...........................................................................................
....................
(Diptera)
Dolichopodidae
111a (108b). Second
antennal segment with a lateral subdorsal longitudinal seam; thorax with a
complete transverse suture; calypter
(= lobe at wing base)
large.......................
..........112
111b. Second antennal segment without a
longitudinal seam; thorax without a complete
transverse
suture; calypter small or rudimentary.....................................................
....................115
112a (111a). Hypopleural bristles (rather vertical row usually above hind
coxae) present
................113
112b. Hypopleural bristles absent; 3rd (R-5) and 4th (M-1) veins almost parallel at wing tip or
4th vein bends forward;
undersurface of scutellum with fine erect hairs (Figs.A-B) A
(predators of
dipterous
larvae)...........................................................................(Diptera) Anthomyiidae
113a (112a). Postscutellum
developed; hypopleura with strong bristles; eyes usually bare; body
of
&& large, variously colored, but usually blackish (Figs.A-G) (parasitoids of
many
types
of insects).......... A...........................................................................(Diptera) Tachinidae
113b. Postscutellum not
developed; hypopleura with a row of bristles............................
....................114
114a (113b). Body usually
gray with 3 black stripes on mesonotum, bare but not metallic;
usually 4 notopleural bristles; arista usually plumose (= featherlike) in basal half A
(Figs.A-B) (parasitoids of
grasshoppers & other arthropods) ........(Diptera) Sarcophagidae
114b. Body usually metallic, usually 2 (rarely
3) notopleural bristles; arista usually plumose beyond
basal half (Figs.A-D) (generally
predaceous)...
......................(Diptera) Calliphoridae
115a (111b). Proboscis
shorter than head; head never broader than thorax; first posterior cell
not
quite narrowed
apically...................................................................................
............116
115b. Proboscis longer than head, slender and
rigit, often folding; head wider than thorax; first
posterior
cell narrowed or closed apically; abdomen clavate (= club-like), bent downward
at apex (Figs.A-B) (parasitoids of
wild bees)..... A.........................................(Diptera) Conopidae
116a (115a). Costa broken
at humeral crossvein; wings without pattern; postcellar bristles
divergent, if absent, arista is also absent (Fig.A)...... A....................(Diptera) Agromyzidae
116b. Eyes oval horizontally, 2X as long as
high; costa not broken; postocellar bristles converge or are
absent, if absent,
arista present; body grayish with yellowish markings on lateral thorax and
abdomen and on front (Fig.A) (predators of
mites & Homoptera)......
.......................................................................................
............................(Diptera) Chamaemyidae
[Skip
couplet 117a/117b]
118a (15a, 41a, 67b &
84a). Last sternite (= ventral plate) of female abdomen divided
longitudinally; ovipositor issues from
anterior to tip of abdomen and has a pair of exserted
sheathes capable
of covering ovipositor tip; hind wing usually without
lobes......
................119
118b. Last sternite of && abdomen not
divided longitudinally; ovipositor (or sting) issues from
the
tip of abdomen and without a pair of exserted sheathes; hind wing often with an
anal
lobe...................................................................................................
.........................................126
119a (118a). Wing
venation well developed; stigma (= thickening of wing membrane along
costal
border) well developed; hind trochanter with 2 segments...................
Hymenoptera)..................................................
(Ichneumonoidea & Evanioidea)
............
....120
119b. Wing venation reduced;
stigma absent or poorly developed; trochanter with 1 segment
.......122
120a (119a). Costal cell
absent; antennae with 16 or more segments (Figs.A-B)...... Wing Types...
......................................................... A.....(Hymenoptera) (Ichneumonoidea)..
....................
..121
120b. Costal cell present; antennae with fewer
than 16 segments; abdomen short with long
petiole arising on
propodeum (= posterior part of thorax that is actually 1st abdominal
segment), far above bases of hind coxae (Figs.A-B) (parasitoids of cockroach
egg
capsules)
.................................................................................(Hymenoptera)
(Evanioidea) Evaniidae
121a (120a). Wing with
one or no recurrent veins; propodeum not prolonged beyond hind
coxae
.................................................................................................................................
....122
121b. Wing with 2 recurrent veins (= transverse veins posterior to cubital vein) or
the
abdomen is 3X the body length (Figs.A-C) (parasitoids of
numerous insect orders ) A
................................................................................(Hymenoptera)
(Ichneumonoidea) Ichneumonidae
122a (121a). Abdominal
terga 2 & 3 not fused (Fig.A) (parasitoids of
aphids) ..........(Hymenoptera)
A..............
..
(Ichneumonoidea) Braconidae (Aphidiinae)
122b. Abdominal terga 2 & 3 fused or the cubitus (= longitudinal vein just
posterior to medial)
in
fore wing arises from the radial cell (Figs.A-F) (parasitoids of
many kinds of hosts,
excluding aphids)
.......................................................(Hymenoptera)
(Ichneumonoidea) Braconidae
123a (119b). Pronotum
extends to tegula; antennae not geniculate (= elbow-shaped) ; body
often
compressed................................................................... (Hymenoptera)
(Cynipoidea).....124
123b. Pronotum does not reach tegula; prepectus
(= area along anterior ventral margin of
mesepisternum
outlined by a suture) present; antennae geniculate, with one or more
proximal segments of flagellum often reduced to ring-like
segments; abdominal segment
behind propodeum
always in form of a petiole, although not always clear.........................
...................................................................................(Hymenoptera)
(Chalcidoidea)
................ 248
124a (123a). Largest segment of abdomen (side view) tergites 2 or 3 and
never more than one
short
tergite in front of the largest tergite...................................................................................125
124b. Largest segment of abdomen (side view)
tergites 4, 5 or 6, with at least 2, 3 or 4 short
tergites behind petiole and preceding the largest tergite;
abdomen very compressed laterally;
ovipositor curved under "membranous flap" (Fig.A) (parasitoids of
sawflies A
in family
Siricidae).........................
....................................(Hymenoptera)
(Cynipoidea) Ibaliidae
125a (124a). Tergite 2
longest and usually forming at least 1/2 the abdomen; radial cell open
(except
in Charips) and petiole without
enlarged ring bearing longitudinal striations (gall-
formers and hyperparasitoids in aphids). If radial cell is closed and petiole has
striated
ring, then tergites
2 & 3 are fused into a single saddle-shaped tergite that covers entire
abdomen (Figs.A-C) (Synergus
inquilines in oak galls).............. A
.
.......................................................
......................................(Hymenoptera)
(Cynipoidea) Cynipidae
125b. Tergite 2 clearly
forming less than 1/2 of abdomen; radial cell closed; petiole with slightly
enlarged ring
structure bearing longitudinal striations; mesopleura without spines or
scratches (Figs.A-B) (parasitoids of
Diptera) ...............(Hymenoptera)
.
(Cynipoidea) Figitidae
[also see fly-par.htm
]
126a (118b). Pronotum
almost reaches or does reach tegula, but lacks a rounded lobe on lateral
margin......................................................................................................................
.....127
126b. Pronotum short,
does not reach tegula, with lateral rounded lobe; body hairs not branched
(Figs.A-L)........... A...........................................................(Hymenoptera)
(Sphecoidea) Sphecidae
127a (126a). Venation of fore wing well developed; hind wing with veins or a
basal lobe.
............128
127b. Venation of fore
wing reduced; hind wing not lobed...(Hymenoptera) (Proctotrupoidea)..........137
128a (127a). Venation of
hind wing reduced, lacking closed cells
...................................................................................(Hymenoptera)
(Bethyloidea)
..............129
128b. Venation of hind
wing not reduced, with at least one closed
cell...................................
.........131
129a (128a). Antennae with 12-13 segments; tarsi
normal..............................................
............
.........130
129b. Antennae with 10 segments; fore tarsi of
females often pincer-like (Figs.A-C) ..........
(parasitoids of leafhoppers) ........ A.................
.........(Hymenoptera) (Bethyloidea) Dryinidae
130a (129a). Abdomen with
3 or less visible tergites (4 in male Parnopes); abdominal sternites
concave; body metallic green or blue (Figs.A-F) (parasitoids of
wasps) ..............
..................................................... A...............................(Hymenoptera)
(Bethyloidea) Chrysididae
130b. Abdomen with 6 (females) or 7 (males)
tergites; sternites convex; body not metallic
(Figs.A-C) (parasitoids of Coleoptera &
Lepidoptera)................................................
...............................................................................................(Hymenoptera)
(Bethyloidea) Bethylidae
131a (128b). Petiole without nodes or node-like swellings......................................................
............132
131b. Petiole medially with nodes or node-like
swellings; antennae geniculate (Figs.A-E)
(general
predators)....... A...............................................(Hymenoptera)
(Formicoidea)
Formicidae
132a (131a). First discoidal cell shorter than submedian cell; fore wings
rarely folded.............
......133
132b. First discoidal cell much longer than
submedian cell; fore wings when at rest folded
longitudinally (Figs.A-D) (general predators).... A.............(Hymenoptera)
(Vespoidea)
Vespidae
133a (132a). Mesopleuron not
divided by an oblique suture; hind femur does not extend to tip
of
abdomen..............................................................................................................
....134
133b. Mesopleuron divided by an oblique suture;
hind femur extends to tip of abdomen; mid
tibia
with 2 apical spurs (Figs.A-D) (parasitoids of
spiders).................................
............................................................................. A.........(Hymenoptera)
(Pompiloidea) Pompilidae
134a (133a). Mesosternum and
metasternum separate, not forming a single large plate; wings
without
wrinkles.......................................................................................
...................
........135
134b. Mesosternum and metasternum form a flat
plate divided by a sinuous transverse suture;
fore
wing with fine longitudinal wrinkles beyond the closed cells (Figs.A-B)
(parasitoids of Scarabaeidae)........ A.................................(Hymenoptera) (Scolioidea)
Scoliidae
135a (134a). Mesosternum simple, without
appendages............................................................
..........136
135b. Mesosternum with 2 laminae which overlay
or project between the bases of the middle
coxae,
extending to midline; spur on tip of abdomen (Figs.A-B) (parasitoids of
Scarabaeidae)............... A.................................................. (Hymenoptera)
(Tiphioidea)
Tiphiidae
136a (135a). Body bare or
nearly so; hind wing with a prominent separated lobe at the anal
angle
(Figs.A-B) (parasitoids of
bees).. A...............(Hymenoptera)
(Tiphioidea) Sapygidae
136b. Body almost always obviously hairy; hind
wing of %% without a lobe at the anal angle; 2
spurs
on tip of abdomen (Figs.A-C) (parasitoids of
Hymenoptera)...............................
........................
(Hymenoptera) (Tiphioidea) Mutillidae
137a (127b). Antennae inserted near clypeus...................................................................................
.....138
137b. Antennae inserted near middle of face on a
shelf-like protuberance; fore wing with
stigma (Figs.A-C) (parasitoids of
Diptera).... A..................................................................
......................................................
..............................(Hymenoptera)
(Proctotrupoidea) Diapriidae
[also see fly-par.htm
]
138a (137a). Abdomen sharply margined at
sides.............................................................................
....139
138b. Abdomen rounded laterally; marginal vein
usually stigmated (Fig.A) (parasitoids
of insects
in several orders
.
...A......
.(Hymenoptera) (Ceraphronoidea) Ceraphronidae
139a (138a). Fore wing with a marginal and stigmal vein (Figs.A-C) (parasitoids of insect
eggs).............................................. A.............(Hymenoptera)
(Proctotrupoidea) Scelionidae
139b. Fore wing without marginal and stigmal
veins (Figs.A-C) (most parasitoids of
Diptera & Homoptera).........................
..
......(Hymenoptera)
(Proctotrupoidea) Platygastridae
Major Families
of Adult Entomophagous Hemiptera / Heteroptera:
140a. (19a & 40a).
Antennae short, usually
concealed...........................................................
....................(Hemiptera /
Heteroptera) suborder Cryptocerata (= aquatic
bugs)
..................141
140b. Antennae longer than previously described,
at least as long as head, not concealed.... .....
.(Hemiptera /
Heteroptera) suborder Gymnocerata (= terrestrial
bugs).................144
141a (140a). Hind tarsi with
claws...............................................................................
..............................142
141b. Hind tarsi without claws, hind tarsi only
flattened (Fig.A) (general
predators).........
..A...............
...(Hemiptera / Heteroptera) Notonectidae
142a (141a). Membrane of hemelytra without
veins.......................................................................
.......143
142b. Membrane of hemelytra (= front wings) with veins (Fig.A) (predators of other
aquatic arthropods) .........................
.... A.............. (Hemiptera / Heteroptera) Belostomatidae
143a (142a). Eyes
strongly protruding; toad-like (Fig.A) (general
predators).... A.....................
...................
(Hemiptera / Heteroptera) Gelastocoridae
143b. Eyes flattened to
form one smooth surface with head (Fig.A) (general
predators)
.......................
(Hemiptera / Heteroptera) Naucoridae
144a (140b). Fore legs
relatively short and slender compared to other legs; tarsal claws
anteapical (especially obvious on fore
legs)..........................................
............................145
144b. Fore legs not noticeably shorter than
other legs; if so, then fore legs thick and modified
for grasping;
tarsal claws
apical..............................................................................
........................146
145a (144a). Hind femora extend well beyond apex of abdomen; middle legs
arise closer to hind
than
to fore legs (Fig.A) (general
predators).. A.........(Hemiptera / Heteroptera) Gerridae
145b. Hind femora extend little if any beyond
apex of abdomen; if middle legs arise close to
hind legs than to fore legs,
then fore tarsi have only 1 segment (Fig.A) (general
predators)
...............
..(Hemiptera / Heteroptera) Vellidae
146a (144b). Antennae with 4 segments...............................................................................
..............
.....147
146b. Antennae with 5 segments (Figs.A-D) (mostly
phytophagous, but some species are
general
predators).......................................... A.................(Hemiptera /
Heteroptera) Pentatomidae
147a (146a). Absence of pad-like
arolium at base of each tarsal claw, of if present, fore legs are
modified for grasping prey
(raptorial)...............................................................................
......148
147b. Pad-like arolium present; membrane of
hemelytron with only 4-5 veins (Figs.A-B)
(predatory &
phytophagous)..................... A........................(Hemiptera /
Heteroptera) Lygaeidae
148a (147a). Fore legs not raptorial; without a presternal
groove..................................................
....149
148b. Fore legs not
raptorial..............................................................................................................
.......151
149a (148a). Proboscis with 3 segments; cuneus absent; ocelli present....................................
.......150
149b. Proboscis with 4 segments; cuneus present;
ocelli absent (Figs.A-C) (a few general
predatory
species)..............................
......... A...................(Hemiptera /
Heteroptera) Miridae
150a (149a). Hemelytra
with a cuneus (= triangular apical
part of thickened portion of wing);
0.5-5.0
mm. long (Figs.A-C) (general
predators). A....(Hemiptera /
Heteroptera) Anthocoridae
150b. Hemelytra without a
cuneus; length variable; membrane of hemelytra with 4-5 closed cells
(Fig.A) (general
predators).........................
..........................(Hemiptera / Heteroptera) Saldidae
-------------
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