# Opiinae

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The **Opiinae** are a subfamily of braconid [parasitoid wasps](/source/Parasitoid_wasp) with over 1300 described species. Several species have been used in [biocontrol](/source/Biological_pest_control) programs against [fruit flies](/source/Tephritidae) and [Agromyzidae](/source/Agromyzidae) flies. They are closely related to the [Alysiinae](/source/Alysiinae).

## Description and distribution

Opiinae are small wasps, usually under 5mm long. They are non-cyclostomes, but sometimes have the appearance of a cyclostome opening. Unlike Alysiinae, Opiinae have endodont mandibles, which open inwards. Opiinae are found worldwide.

## Biology

Opiinae are [koinobiont](/source/Parasitoid#Basic_concepts) endoparasitoids of [cyclorrhaphus](/source/Cyclorrhapha) [Diptera](/source/Fly). Females [oviposit](/source/Ovipositor) into host eggs or larvae. The host is allowed to develop until it forms a [puparium](/source/Puparium), at which point it is killed by the wasp larva.[1]

## References

1. Wharton, Robert A.; Marsh, Paul M.; Sharkey, Michael J. (1997). *Manual of the New World Genera of the Family Braconidae (Hymenoptera)*. Washington DC: The International Society of Hymenopterists.

## External links

- [Photographs at BugGuide.net](http://bugguide.net/node/view/203730)
- [DNA barcodes at BOLD systems](http://www.boldsystems.org/index.php/Taxbrowser_Taxonpage?taxon=opiinae&searchMenu=taxonomy&query=opiinae)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Opiinae](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opiinae) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opiinae?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.