Aphilanthopini: Cercerini: Philanthini: Pseudoscoliini: Philanthidae is one of the largest families of wasp in the superfamily Apoidea, with 1167 species in 8 genera.

[1][2][3] Historically, this group has frequently been accorded family status.

[4] Later interpretations include status as a subfamily of a broadly-defined Sphecidae[1] or Crabronidae.

Subsequent revision of the superfamily Apoidea has elevated the group back to family status.

[citation needed] As with all other apoid wasps, the larvae are carnivorous; females hunt for prey on which to lays their eggs, mass provisioning the nest cells with paralyzed, living prey that the larva feeds upon after it hatches from the egg, as seen in the species Philanthus gibbosus.