Sub-family Ophioninae

The classification of the Ophioninae has become over the years rather confusing, and the limits assigned to the various sub-groups unsatisfactory. Recently, Cushman (1947) and Townes (1944) as well as some European workers, have clarified the position to some extent.

Ashmead (1900: 84) divided the Ophioninae into twelve tribes; Townes (1944 and 1945) raised the status of the tribes Plecticini and Mesochorini to sub-family rank and transferred the tribes Banchini and Panicini to the subfamilies Lissonotinae and Tryphoninae respectively.

The Ophionini may be distinguished from all other Ophioninae, in that the 2nd recurrent vein is emitted from the cubitus distinctly before the transverse

cubitus, a feature shared only by the Nototrachini (not so far represented in New Zealand) in which the antennae are very short and each intermediate tibia is furnished with only a single tibial spur.