Overview
Very limited host records from the northern hemisphere indicate that members of the family
parasitise
larvae of cerambycids and other wood-boring beetles (Coleoptera).
Description
Liopterids are rarely collected, have a worldwide distribution but are more prominent in the tropics and southern hemisphere. They range in size from 5- 9 mm and can be recognised by having the metasoma petiolate, with tergites 4- 6 the largest, the hind tibia short, the mesopleuron with a deep groove or impression and foveate (deeply pitted) sculpturing on the pronotum.
Distribution
In Australasia this small family is known from a single genus,
Dallatorrella
, and two species, one described from Australia and one from New Guinea.
Further information about the Liopteridae can be found in Liu 2001, Richie 1993 and Ronquist 1999.