Rhopalosomatidae

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Rhopalosomatidae is a small family of wasps in the Hymenoptera order, found worldwide. There are about 68 living species in four genera, plus a couple of extinct genera known from fossils.

Appearance and behavior
- Adults resemble ants and are usually yellowish with red or brown markings, though some can be all brown.
- Winged species are typically nocturnal; wingless or reduced-wing species are usually active during the day.
- They are solitary insects. The larvae are ectoparasites on the nymphs of orthopterans (grasshoppers and crickets).
- Adults have two or more segmented antennae with spines; the hindwing (when present) has distinct claval and jugal lobes; the metatibia bears a spur called a calcar.

Taxonomy (extant and fossil)
- Extant genera (four total): Rhopalosoma, Paniscomima, Liosphex, Olixon.
- Subfamilies: Rhopalosomatinae (Rhopalosoma, Paniscomima, Liosphex) and Olixoninae (Olixon).
- Fossil genera (two known in this family): Cretolixon and Eorhopalosoma. Mesorhopalosoma and Paleorhopalosoma have been moved to the Angarosphecidae family.

Genus distribution (examples)
- Rhopalosoma: mainly New World, with many species in Central and South America.
- Olixon: widespread across Africa, Australia, and the New World.
- Paniscomima: India, Madagascar, Africa, and Southeast Asia.
- Liosphex: from the southern United States to Central and South America; Liosphex trichopleurum is known from the Philippines and Indonesia.

Summary
Rhopalosomatidae are ant-like, parasitic wasps with a worldwide distribution and a lifestyle that includes solitary adults and larvae that parasitize orthopteran nymphs. Their classification includes four living genera in two subfamilies and a couple of fossil genera.