American Cuckoo Wasp vs Hessian Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | American Cuckoo Wasp | Hessian Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chrysis angolensis | Mayetiola destructor |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Chrysididae | Cecidomyiidae |
| Size | 7-12 mm | 2-4 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Parasites | Gall Makers |
| Regions | Sub-Saharan Africa | Cosmopolitan - originally Eurasia, now worldwide |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
American Cuckoo Wasp
A metallic green and blue cuckoo wasp found across sub-Saharan Africa. It parasitizes mud-nesting wasps and bees on rocky outcrops and buildings.
Did You Know?
Despite its species name referencing Angola, it is found throughout most of tropical and southern Africa.
Hessian Fly
A tiny dark gall midge that is one of the most destructive pests of wheat and barley worldwide. Adults resemble small dark mosquitoes and live for only a few days.
Did You Know?
Named after Hessian soldiers in the American Revolution who supposedly brought it to North America in straw bedding.