Classification of the Xiphydriidae (Hymenoptera)

First record of the woodwasp family Xiphydriidae from Tasmania with a description of a new species and host record

“…Rhysacephala warraensis lacks a prominent tubercle near the apex of the mesoscutellum, clearly placing it in the Xiphydriinae (Benson 1954; Smith 1988, 1995). It also has tarsal plantulae which are absent in most Derecyrtinae (Benson 1954; Smith 1988; Schulmeister 2003; Jennings et al. 2007).…”

“…Benson (1954) distinguished Rhysacephala from other Xiphydriinae by the presence of 7‐segmented maxillary palps, the ‘fading out’ of fore wing vein 2A + 3A (both character states shared with the New Zealand Moaxiphia ) and several other character states which distinguish it from Moaxiphia , including parallel inner orbits of the eye and enlarged hind claws of female. This species exhibits the general characteristics of Rhysacephala (Maa 1949; Benson 1954; Jennings et al. 2007), including maxillary palps 7‐segmented, fore wing vein 2A + 3A paler apically and inner orbits of eyes more or less parallel.…”

The Australian endemic woodwasp genus Austrocyrta Riek (Hymenoptera: Xiphydriidae)

“…Xiphydriid woodwasps are worldwide in distribution, except Africa (Smith 1978; Taeger & Blank 2006). In Australia there are four described species in two subfamilies of Xiphydriidae; Derecyrtinae Ashmead ( sensu Benson 1954) (1 sp.) and Xiphydriinae Ashmead ( sensu Benson 1954) (3 spp.)…”

“…In Australia there are four described species in two subfamilies of Xiphydriidae; Derecyrtinae Ashmead ( sensu Benson 1954) (1 sp.) and Xiphydriinae Ashmead ( sensu Benson 1954) (3 spp.) (Smith 1978; Jennings et al.…”

Rhysacephala masneri n. sp. (Xiphydriidae), the first symphytan wasp recorded from Lord Howe Island

“…It also has tarsal pulvilli which are absent in most Derycertinae (Benson 1954;Smith 1988). Benson (1954) distinguished Rhysacephala from other Xiphydriinae by the presence of 7-segmented maxillary palps, the "fading out" of fore wing vein 2A (both character states shared with the New Zealand Moaxiphia) and several other character states which distinguish it from Moaxiphia, including parallel inner orbits of the eye and enlarged hind claws of female. Jennings et al (2007) expanded the generic limits of Rhysacephala to accommodate R. novacaledonicus from New Caledonia which has the fore wing vein 2A even in colouration.…”