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Key to New World Subfamilies of Pompilidae
(modified from Townes 1957 and Brothers & Finnamore 1993)

1. Metasomal sternum 2 with distinct sharp transverse groove, but male often without sharp groove. Mesofemur and metafemur without subapical spine-like setae set in grooves or pits. Metatibia often with a series of teeth along dorsal margin, but sometimes without such teeth. Metatibia with apical spine-like setae of more or less uniform length, the setae not splayed. Tarsomere 5 ventrally without distinct median row of setae, but sometimes with pair of submedian rows of setae. Fore wing with vein Cu1 simple at base, without any definite downward deflection, such that the second discal cell (2D) is without a posterior "pocket"...…………………………………................................................ 2
- Metasomal sternum 2 without distinct sharp transverse groove, but sometimes with wide shallow transverse depression. Mesofemur and metafemur usually with 1 or more subapical dorsal spine-like setae set in grooves or pits, but sometimes without such setae. Metatibia usually without a series of teeth along dorsal margin, but rarely with such teeth. Metatibia with apical spine-like setae usually of different lengths and splayed, but the setae sometimes of uniform length and not splayed. Tarsomere 5 often with a distinct median ventral row of setae, but sometimes without setae or with setae otherwise arranged. Fore wing with vein Cu1 usually distinctly deflected downward at base, such that the second discal cell (2D) has a posterior "pocket"), but vein sometimes not deflected ................................................................................. 3

2(1) Pronotum with distinct dorsal and vertical faces; in lateral view, vertical face straight to concave, dorsal face flattened. Dorsal face of pronotum with anterior-median sulcus. Clypeus flattened, plate-like, and glabrous (males unknown) ……………………...…….. Ctenocerinae
- Pronotum without distinctly flattened dorsal and vertical faces; more continuously curved, in lateral view (except Caliadurgus has pronotum with a vertical face but lacks other characters associated with Ctenocerinae). Pronotum without anterior-median sulcus. Clypeus convex to flattened, but never plate-like and glabrous .................................................................... Pepsinae

3(1) Metatibia with apical spine-like setae long, of irregular lengths and spacing, the setae distinctly splayed. Fore wing with vein Cul usually distinctly deflected downward at base (second discal cell (2D) with a posterior "pocket"), but vein rarely not deflected. Mesofemur and metafemur usually with 1 or more distinct subapical dorsal spine-like setae set in grooves or pits, but rarely without such setae. Tarsomere 5 with ventral preapical setae often forming a distinct median row, but the setae sometimes absent. Female metasomal sternum 6 (subgenital plate) without median longitudinal carina or sharp fold. Labrum often concealed below clypeus, but labrum sometimes partially exposed ..…………………………… Epipompilinae + Pompilinae
- Metatibia with apical spine-like setae short, of more or less uniform length and spacing, not splayed. Fore wing with vein Cul simple at base, without any definite downward deflection (second discal cell (2D) without a posterior "pocket"). Mesofemur and metafemur usually without subapical spine-like setae set in grooves or pits; if femora with such setae then these setae small and inconspicuous. Tarsomere 5 with ventral preapical setae usually not forming a distinct median row, differently arranged, with setae sometimes absent. Female metasomal sternum 6 (subgenital plate) with distinct medial longitudinal carina or sharp fold, at least apically. Labrum exposed, not concealed below clypeus ……………………………………….. 4

4(3) Fore wing with pterostigma small, about 2.5X as long as wide. Hind wing with cu-a meeting Cu1 at or distal to point of divergence of M and Cu1. Pronotum with definite dorsal surface, separated from anterior surface by distinct angulation. Inner margins of compound eyes nearly parallel, at most slightly sinuate. Sting downcurved ……………..…Notocyphinae (Notocyphus)
- Fore wing with pterostigma larger, at least 3.5X as long as wide. Hind wing with cu-a meeting M+Cu1 proximal to point of divergence of M and Cu1. Pronotum strap-shaped, dorsal surface very short, not usually separated from anterior surface by angulation. Inner margins of compound eyes strongly diverging dorsally, emarginate or strongly sinuate. Sting straight……………………………………………………………….......................... Ceropalinae