Proctotrupidae is a family of parasitic wasps in the superfamily Proctotrupoidea. There are about 400 species in more than 30 genera in Proctotrupidae, found throughout most of the world.[2][1]
Proctotrupidae are small parasitoid wasps, that primarily parasitise larvae of beetles belonging to the families Carabidae, Staphylinidae, and Elateridae, though a number of species are known to target other hosts, including fungus gnats (Mycetophilidae, Sciaridae) and concealer moths.[3] Females in many species are wingless and dwell in the soil, where they are capable of detecting beetle larvae in their burrows.[4] They typically have a body length of 5 to 8 mm, but species may range from 3 to 15 mm.[2]
