Cerocephalidae new status

Cerocephalinae Gahan, 1946. Type genus: Cerocephala Westwood, 1832.

Diagnosis.

Antenna with at most 10 flagellomeres and at most 3 clavomeres. Intertorular prominence present (Fig. 6). Eyes not ventrally divergent. Clypeus without transverse subapical groove. Labrum hidden behind clypeus, flexible. Mandibles with 2 or more teeth. Subforaminal bridge with a postgenal bridge occurring dorsal to the hypostoma. Mesoscutellum with frenum indicated at least laterally, although this may be very subtle. Mesopleural area without an expanded acropleuron; mesepimeron extending over anterior margin of metapleuron (Fig. 7). All legs with 5 tarsomeres; protibial spur stout and curved; basitarsal comb longitudinal. Metasoma with syntergum, therefore without epipygium.

Discussion.

Cerocephalidae differ from most other Chalcidoidea in having an intertorular prominence, although a few exceptional taxa exist across the superfamily that have a similar prominence, such as some Haltichellinae ( Chalcididae). However, these exceptions can be distinguished from Cerocephalidae using other features mentioned in the diagnosis. Otherwise, Cerocephalidae bear little resemblance to other families, being somewhat similar to Spalangiidae, Storeyinae, and some Eulophidae, but without most diagnostic features of those families.