Diapriid wasps

  • Updated
    07/12/20
  • Read time
    2 minutes
Pilbara Biodiversity Project Diapriidae msp. pilb-04 Click to enlarge image
Diapriirae - CBCR Pilbara Biodiversity Project Coleoptera voucher specimens Image: Scott Ginn
© Australian Museum

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Family
    Diapriidae
    Super Family
    Proctotrupoidea
    Suborder
    Apocrita
    Order
    Hymenoptera
    Class
    Insecta
    Subphylum
    Uniramia
    Phylum
    Arthopoda
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    1 mm - 6 mm

Introduction

If you see a very small fly that, on closer inspection, resembles an ant, it may be a diapriid wasp.

Identification

Diapriid wasps are common in gardens but can be tiny - the largest are no more than 6 mm long and the smallest only 1 mm long.

Habitat

Diapriid wasps live in urban areas, forests and woodlands, and wetlands.

Distribution

Diapriid wasps are found throughout Australia.

Life history cycle

Diapriid wasp specialise in parasitising fly pupae and prepupae. Most spend very little time flying as their hosts are usually somewhere on the ground. Some have very reduced wings or none at all and can be mistaken for ants.