[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Images\/Intro\/Quick Facts” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″ background_color=”#FFFFFF”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_font_size=”22px” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_module=”23371″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n\t\t
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Order: Hymenoptera<\/span> The exact appearance of parasitoid wasps depends on the species. Most are extremely small (between 1-10 mm) and have brown or black bodies with long slender antennae. However, certain species belonging to the family Ichneumonidae can be over 10 cm (4 inches) long and have a very long ovipositor (egg-laying structure), while Trichogramma spp<\/em>. are very small at 0.25-1 mm (1\/25 inch) long.<\/p>\n In some species, the pupae are the most often observed life stage and appear as grains of rice on the surface of a host insect. Gardeners are more likely to see the results of parasitoid activity, such as aphid mummies, rather than the wasps themselves.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/agsci.colostate.edu\/divi-agbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/127\/2022\/03\/giant-ichneumon-wasp-scaled-1.jpeg” alt=”Giant ichneumon wasp (Rhyssa persuasoria)” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” body_line_height=”1.4em” image_icon_custom_margin=”||-22px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Giant ichneumon wasp. Image credit: <\/em>Boris Hrasovec, Faculty of Forestry, Bugwood.org\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Quick Facts” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||fa||900″ icon_color=”#F15625″ image_icon_width=”36px” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FEBD3B” custom_padding=”6%|6%|6%|6%|true|true” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/agsci.colostate.edu\/agbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/127\/2023\/10\/Giant-ichneumon-jpg.webp” alt=”Braconid wasp cocoons on a tobacco hornworm” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” body_line_height=”1.4em” image_icon_custom_margin=”||-22px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Giant ichneumon wasp. Image credit: Steven Katovich, Bugwood.org<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/agsci.colostate.edu\/divi-agbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/127\/2022\/03\/aphid-parasitoid-wasp-scaled-1.jpeg” alt=”Aphid parasitoid wasp” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” body_line_height=”1.4em” image_icon_custom_margin=”||-22px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Parasitoid wasp attacking an aphid. Image credit:<\/em> Frank Peairs, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/agsci.colostate.edu\/agbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/127\/2023\/10\/Braconid-wasp-jpg.webp” alt=”Aphid parasitoid wasp” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” body_line_height=”1.4em” image_icon_custom_margin=”||-22px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Braconid wasp. Image credit: David Cappaert, Bugwood.org<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/agsci.colostate.edu\/agbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/127\/2023\/10\/aphid-mummy-jpg.webp” alt=”Aphid parasitoid wasp” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” body_line_height=”1.4em” image_icon_custom_margin=”||-22px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Aphid mummy with exit hole from braconid wasp. Image credit: Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/agsci.colostate.edu\/agbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/127\/2023\/10\/Braconid-wasp-pupae-jpg.webp” alt=”Aphid parasitoid wasp” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” body_line_height=”1.4em” image_icon_custom_margin=”||-22px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Braconid wasp pupae on a caterpillar. Image credits: David Cappaert, Bugwood.org<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#F1F1F1″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” custom_padding=”|6%||6%|true|true” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_3_font_size=”26px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n\t\t The exact life history of parasitoid wasps depends on the species, but most tend to be specialists that attack a single species of insect host. Collectively, parasitoid wasps attack various life stages of aphids, scales, psyllids, stink bugs, beetles, and caterpillars. Parasitized aphids typically turn brown or black and have a swollen, balloon-like appearance. After completing its development, the adult wasp emerges and leaves behind a round exit hole in the rear of the dead aphid, called an aphid mummy.<\/p>\n Usually, female wasps parasitize hosts by paralyzing an adult insect or larva and depositing eggs inside. Upon hatching, the wasp larvae feed within (endoparasite) or outside (ectoparasite) of the host. After pupating internally or externally of the host, the adult wasp emerges. Wasps that pupate externally often spin conspicuous pupal cocoons after emerging from a host. Adults generally feed on nectar, pollen, and honeydew, and in many cases, parasitoid wasps require floral resources for pollen and nectar to maximize their effectiveness.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” custom_padding=”|6%||6%|true|true” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_3_font_size=”26px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n\t\t Several species of parasitoid wasp are commercially available for biological control of certain pests in fruits, vegetables, and ornamentals. One species, Aphidius colemani<\/em>, is labeled for aphid control in greenhouses and outdoor growing systems. Various Trichogramma spp.<\/em> are available for control of lepidopteran pests, including corn earworm, cutworms, cabbage looper, armyworms, borers, and codling moth.<\/p>\n In addition to these commercially available parasitoid wasps, naturally occurring populations of other species can effectively suppress populations of certain insect pests. Trissolcus spp.<\/em> are important parasitoids of brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys<\/em>) eggs. The entire wasp development from egg to pupa occurs within the parasitized stink bug egg, which darkens as the wasp development progresses. One species in particular, the samurai wasp (Trissolcus japonicas<\/em>), has been observed parasitizing up to 90% of brown marmorated stink bug eggs. Colpoclypeus florus<\/em> is another species of parasitoid wasp that attacks caterpillars of lepidopteran leafrollers. In 1992, this species was observed parasitizing around 80% of leafroller larvae in unsprayed Washington apple orchards. In some instances, over 50 C. florus wasps can be produced from a single host. Maintaining natural populations of parasitoid wasps is possible through proper conservation practices.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#F1F1F1″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” custom_padding=”|6%||6%|true|true” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_3_font_size=”26px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n\t\t Parasitoid wasps are an important group of beneficial insects, but they often go unnoticed. The use of broad-spectrum insecticides should be avoided to help conserve these beneficial insects. The presence of diverse flowering plants with shallow flowers will provide food for parasitoid wasps. In addition, allowing certain insect pests to survive will help sustain naturally occurring populations of parasitoid wasps. Parasitized insects should be left alone to help support the wasp population. Maintaining leaf litter will also provide shelter for some wasp species.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” custom_padding=”|6%||6%|true|true” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_3_font_size=”26px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n\t\t Cannon, C., M. Murray., R. Patterson., and K. Wagner. (n.d.).<\/strong> Beneficial Insects of Utah. Utah State University \u2013 Extension. Available https:\/\/extension.usu.edu\/pests\/files\/pubs\/Beneficial-Insects-of-Utah-ID-Guide.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n MSU. (n.d.).<\/strong> Natural enemies \u2013 parasitoids. Michigan State University \u2013 College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Available https:\/\/www.canr.msu.edu\/ipm\/uploads\/files\/WoodyLandscape_PDFs\/NaturalEnemies_Parasitoids.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n Schuh, M. 2022.<\/strong> Parasitoid wasps. University of Minnesota \u2013 Extension. Available https:\/\/extension.umn.edu\/beneficial-insects\/parasitoid-wasps<\/a><\/p>\n
Family: Braconidae, Scelionidae, Ichneumonidae, Eulophidae, Aphelinidae, Trichogrammatidae<\/p>\nDescription<\/h2>\n
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Life history and habits<\/h2>\n
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Parasitoids as biological control agents<\/h2>\n
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Conservation<\/h2>\n
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References<\/h2>\n