Copidosoma Polyembryonic Wasp vs European Corn Borer Parasite

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Copidosoma Polyembryonic Wasp European Corn Borer Parasite
Scientific Name Copidosoma floridanum Macrocentrus grandii
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Encyrtidae Braconidae
Size 1-1.5 mm 5-8 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Parasitoids Nectar Feeders
Regions North America, Europe Europe, North America
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Copidosoma Polyembryonic Wasp

A remarkable parasitoid in which a single egg divides into thousands of genetically identical embryos inside a moth caterpillar. The host continues feeding and growing while filled with developing wasp larvae.

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Did You Know?

A single fertilized egg can clone itself into over 3,000 genetically identical wasp larvae inside one caterpillar.

European Corn Borer Parasite

A slender braconid wasp introduced to North America to control the European corn borer. It lays polyembryonic eggs that multiply inside the host caterpillar.

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Did You Know?

A single egg divides into up to 30 genetically identical larvae inside the host through polyembryony.