Cassava Mealybug Parasitoid vs Large Larch Sawfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Cassava Mealybug Parasitoid | Large Larch Sawfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anagyrus lopezi | Nematus erichsonii |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Encyrtidae | Tenthredinidae |
| Size | 1-2 mm | 8-10 mm (adult) |
| Habitat | Farmland | Forests |
| Diet | Parasitoids | Omnivores |
| Regions | Africa, South America (native) | Europe |
| Conservation | Not Evaluated | Not Evaluated |
Cassava Mealybug Parasitoid
A tiny encyrtid wasp credited with saving Africa's cassava crop from devastating mealybug infestations. It was introduced from South America in the 1980s as a biological control agent.
Did You Know?
Its release across Africa is considered one of the most successful biological control programs in history, saving millions from famine.
Large Larch Sawfly
A gregarious defoliator of larch in European forests. Larvae feed in groups and can rapidly strip branches of needles.
Did You Know?
Defoliated larch trees produce a second flush of needles but suffer significant growth reduction.