Revision of Embolemidae (Hymenoptera: Chrysidoidea) from the Middle East

The family Embolemidae (Hymenoptera: Chrysidoidea) from the Middle East is taxonomically reviewed. Three species are reported, redescribed, and illustrated, Ampulicomorpha thauma Rasnitsyn Matveev from Iran, Embolemus harteni Olmi from Yemen, and E. huberi Olmi from Iran. The extremely rare genus Ampulicomorpha Ashmead is here recorded for the first time from the Middle East. Embolemus harteni is further recorded from two more governorates of Yemen. A species identification key of Embolemidae from the Middle East, distribution maps, details of the morphological characters, and extensive colour photographs of every species are also provided. A brief discussion on the species relationships and their relevant ecoregions based on the currently limited available information is offered.