Carrion Parasitoid Wasp vs Parnopes Cuckoo Wasp

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Carrion Parasitoid Wasp Parnopes Cuckoo Wasp
Scientific Name Alysia manducator Parnopes grandior
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Braconidae Chrysididae
Size 4-6 mm 8-13 mm
Habitat Farmland Beaches & Coastal
Diet Carrion Feeders Parasites
Regions Europe, North America Europe, North Africa, Western Asia
Conservation Least Concern Near Threatened

Carrion Parasitoid Wasp

A small braconid wasp that parasitizes blowfly larvae in carrion. An important part of the decomposition ecosystem. Females locate buried fly larvae using chemical cues.

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Did You Know?

Females can detect fly larvae buried in carrion from a considerable distance using their sensitive antennae.

Parnopes Cuckoo Wasp

A large and robust cuckoo wasp with a metallic green thorax and brilliant red abdomen. It exclusively parasitizes beewolf wasps in sandy habitats.

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Did You Know?

It is entirely dependent on beewolf wasps for reproduction, so its populations decline wherever beewolves disappear.