Aphid Mummy Wasp vs Hemiandrus Ground Weta
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Aphid Mummy Wasp | Hemiandrus Ground Weta |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aphidius ervi | Hemiandrus maculifrons |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Orthoptera |
| Family | Braconidae | Anostostomatidae |
| Size | 2-3 mm | 15-25 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Parasitoids | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe, North America, South America, Oceania | New Zealand |
| Conservation | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
Aphid Mummy Wasp
A tiny parasitoid wasp widely used in biological control of pea aphids and other large aphid species. It turns parasitized aphids into hardened golden-brown 'mummies' from which new wasps emerge.
Did You Know?
Parasitized aphids swell into distinctive metallic 'mummies' before the adult wasp chews a neat exit hole to emerge.
Hemiandrus Ground Weta
A New Zealand ground weta that is one of the very few orthopterans showing maternal care. Females guard their eggs and newly hatched nymphs in underground burrows.
Did You Know?
Females remain sealed in their burrow with their eggs for months without feeding, one of the rarest parental behaviors in crickets.