Habitat
Adults: terrestrial
Immatures: terrestrial

Feeding Habits
Adults: nectar and pollen feeding
Immatures: parasitoid

North American
Species: 2200

Hymenoptera Chalcidoidea (Superfamily)
chalcid wasps, jewel wasps

Special Characteristics: Chalcidoids are tiny, dark-coloured wasps, moften metallic blue or green with complex sculpturing on the body. They are also recognized by the characteristic reduced wing venation. Wings are reduced or absent in some species.

Comments: Most are parasitoids of other insects, attacking the egg or larval stage of the host. Hosts are in the orders Lepidoptera, Diptera, Coleoptera and Homoptera. A few species are phytophagous and the larvae feed inside seeds, stems, and galls. This is a beneficial group in keeping crop pests under control, and many species have been imported to control insect pests. They can be found almost everywhere, particularly on flowers and foliage but they are often overlooked.

Species:
Perilampus hyalinus Say (Family Pteromalidae)

Common Name:

Feeding Habits: This species is a parasitoids in a variety of insects.

Distribution:
British Columbia to Quebec

Comments:
Species in this family are common and sometimes abundant. Many species in this family are important biological control agents for crop pests.