Overview
The biology of the family is unknown, however, they have been collected on the forest floor and in low scrub and tussock grasses.
Description
Described only recently, Maamingidae posed a significant taxonomic problem in that it seemed to combine the defining characters of several families. It has relatively reduced wing venation, a shelf on the face into which the antennae are inserted (as in
Diapriidae),
and an ovoid metasoma with exerted ovipositor (similar to many
Braconidae).
Molecular data now indicates that the family is related to
Diapriidae and Monomachidae.
Distribution
This unusual family of small wasps (1- 2 mm) is endemic to New Zealand, and is known from a single genus
Maaminga
and two species.
Further information about the Maamingidae can be found in Early, Naumann, Masner & Austin 2000.