Campopleginae is a large subfamily of the parasitoid wasp family Ichneumonidae with a world-wide distribution. Species in this subfamily have been used in the biological control of the alfalfa weevil, clover weevil, various species of Heliothis, oriental army worm, European corn borer, larch sawfly, and others.

Description and diversity

Campopleginae is one of the most commonly encountered subfamilies of Ichneumonidae and contains 65 genera. Many of the genera are poorly defined and difficult to identify. Campoplegines are small, slender, black and brown insects with a laterally compressed abdomen. The clypeus is confluent with the rest of the face. Many species produce black and white cocoons.

Biology

Campoplegines are koinobiont endoparasitoids mainly of Lepidoptera and Symphyta but also of Coleoptera and Raphidiidae. Most attack weakly concealed larval hosts in early instars. Most species are solitary, but a few may be gregarious, with multiple parasitoid larvae emerging from the same host. Some members of this subfamily possess polydna viruses which are injected into the host during oviposition.

Genera

These 67 genera belong to the subfamily Campopleginae: Data sources: i = ITIS, c = Catalogue of Life, g = GBIF, b = Bugguide.net