First record of two diapriid species (Hymenoptera: Diaprioidea: Diapriidae) from Karbala Province, Iraq

Abstract

The superfamily Diaprioidea represents one of the most important and biologically diverse groups within the order Hymenoptera. The family Diapriidae comprises parasitoid wasps characterized by distinct morphological features. Specimens were collected during 2025 from citrus orchards in Al-Hussainiya, Al-Wand, Awn, and Al-Ibrahimiyah districts, Holy Karbala Governorate / Iraq, Using various types of traps (sweep nets, Malaise trap, and yellow pan traps). It was preserved in 70-75% ethyl alcohol, and then embalmed in special boxes to facilitate examination of the specimen. The diapriid taxa recorded in this study belonged to the subfamily Diapriinae and included the genus Psilus sp. and the species Trichopria aequata, represented by both males and females, identified based on their morphological characteristics. The study also provides detailed morphological descriptions supported by photographs of the examined taxa.