none Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used to construct electrophoretic 'keys' for identifying larval, pupal and adult hymenopterous parasitoids of Sitobion avenae (F.). In general, for each parasitoid and enzyme system tested, all life stages gave similar banding patterns. Although five enzyme systems were tested, esterase was found to be the most useful single system. Using laboratory-reared parasitoids and staining for esterase activity, all species examined, except Aphidius rhopalosiphi and A. ervi could be readily distinguished with the aid of the appropriate key.