A new family of primitive serphitoid wasps in Lebanese amber (Hymenoptera: Serphitoidea)

Abstract

A new family of serphitoid wasps (Bipetiolarida: Serphitoidea) is described and figured as Archaeoserphitidae Engel, new family. The family is based on Archaeoserphites melqarti Engel, new genus and species, preserved in Early Cretaceous amber from Lebanon, and shares with Serphitidae a two-segmented, tubular petiole. Archaeoserphites have several primitive features relative to Serphitidae (e.g., reduced pterostigma, similar to many chalcidoids; a greater number of flagellomeres; a distinct malar sulcus), while simultaneously exhibiting its own derived features (e.g., angulate lower face, with clypeus downward; smaller mandibles; large pronotum; fused propleura). Diagnoses of and keys to the higher taxa of Bipetiolarida are provided, and the subfamily Microserphitinae Engel, new subfamily, is established.