Blue Morpho Caterpillar Parasite Wasp vs Pergid Sawfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Blue Morpho Caterpillar Parasite Wasp | Pergid Sawfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Conura acuta | Perga affinis |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Chalcididae | Pergidae |
| Size | 5-10 mm | 15-20 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Woodlands |
| Diet | Parasitoids | Herbivores |
| Regions | South America (Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela) | Eastern Australia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Blue Morpho Caterpillar Parasite Wasp
A metallic-colored parasitoid wasp that attacks the pupae of various Lepidoptera, including Morpho butterflies. The female inserts her ovipositor through the pupal shell to lay eggs inside the developing butterfly. Larvae consume the pupa from within before emerging as adult wasps.
Did You Know?
A single parasitized Morpho pupa can produce dozens of tiny wasps instead of one large butterfly.
Pergid Sawfly
An Australian sawfly whose larvae form dense defensive clusters called spitfires on eucalyptus trees. When threatened, larvae rear up and regurgitate eucalyptus oil.
Did You Know?
Larvae tap their tails on the branch in unison to signal the group to move to fresh leaves.