Abstract.A new subfamily of braconid wasps, the Mendesellinae, is proposed and described. It is represented by two genera and nine species, all newly described:Mendesellagen.n., type speciesM.amazonicasp.n.,M.braziliensls, sp.n.,M.magnasp.n.,Epsilogastergen.n., type speciesE.bicolorsp.n.,E.brazMensissp.n.,E.durenosp.n.,E.palenquesp.n.,E.ticosp.n. andE.panamasp.n. The phylogenetic relationships among the subfamilies of the ‘microgastroid assemblage’ of Braconidae are reviewed and analysed, to clarify the status and relationships of the new subfam