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 <strong>Archaeoserphitidae</strong> Engel, new family. The family is based on <em><strong>Archaeoserphites melqarti</strong></em> Engel, new genus and species, preserved in Early Cretaceous amber from Lebanon, and shares with Serphitidae a two-segmented, tubular petiole. <em>Archaeoserphites</em> have several primitive features relative to Serphitidae (<em>e.g</em>., reduced pterostigma, similar to many chalcidoids; a greater number of flagellomeres; a distinct malar sulcus), while simultaneously exhibiting its own derived features (<em>e.g</em>., 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 <strong>Microserphitinae</strong> Engel, new subfamily, is established.