Black Slip Wasp vs Oregon Oak Gall Wasp

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Black Slip Wasp Oregon Oak Gall Wasp
Scientific Name Pimpla instigator Besbicus mirabilis
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Ichneumonidae Cynipidae
Size 12-16 mm 2–3 mm
Habitat Underground Grasslands
Diet Parasitoids Gall Makers
Regions Europe, Asia Western North America
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Black Slip Wasp

A medium-sized black ichneumon wasp that parasitizes butterfly and moth pupae. Uses its ovipositor to penetrate through cocoons. A common and widespread species.

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Did You Know?

Can drill its ovipositor through tough pupal cases and silk cocoons to reach the developing insect inside.

Oregon Oak Gall Wasp

A gall wasp that induces conspicuous galls on Oregon white oak in western North America. Galls form on leaf veins and can be quite abundant.

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Did You Know?

Native Americans used some oak galls medicinally as an astringent to treat mouth sores and skin wounds.