Characteristics

The Ecitoninae are characterized by the following derived traits (Bolton 2003):

• Orifices of abdominal spiracles IV-VII directed posteriorly
• Pygidium small or very small, usually merely a narrow U-shaped sclerite
• Male with sharply defined presclerites on abdominal segments IV-VII; abdominal sternite VII hypertrophied; abdominal sternite VIII internalized and bilobate apically
• Male biaculeate hypopygium mostly or entirely exposed
• Basal ring of male genital capsule hypertrophied