The members of this large group (303 NA spp) can generally be recognized
by having the antennae arising from a shelf-like protuberance on the face.
The
Diapriinae are minute and
have very little venation. The Belytinae
are somewhat larger with closed cells in the wings. These insects attack
Diptera larvae like fungus gnats (Mycetophilidae, Sciaridae) and other
flies breeding in fungi. The most commonly collected genus is Basalys.
More than ten undetermined species
tentatively in the genera Trichopria, Aclista, Cinetus, Pantoclis,
Basalys, Psilus, Zygota, Synacra, Belyta, and Ismarus
have been collected.
Matt Yoder (Texas A&M) feels that many of these may well be misidentified.
