Cotesia Congregata vs Swaine Jack Pine Sawfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Cotesia Congregata Swaine Jack Pine Sawfly
Scientific Name Cotesia congregata Neodiprion swainei
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Braconidae Diprionidae
Size 2-3 mm 6-9 mm
Habitat Farmland Forests
Diet Parasitoids Omnivores
Regions North America Eastern Canada, northeastern United States
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Cotesia Congregata

A gregarious endoparasitoid whose larvae emerge en masse from hornworm caterpillars to spin white cocoons on the host's skin. It is a well-known natural enemy of tobacco and tomato hornworms.

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Did You Know?

Up to 300 larvae can emerge from a single hornworm caterpillar, covering it in tiny white silk cocoons.

Swaine Jack Pine Sawfly

A pine sawfly with strongly pectinate male antennae and sawfly females that are stouter and paler. Larvae are olive green with lighter stripes and feed on jack pine.

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Did You Know?

Major outbreaks have historically defoliated millions of hectares of jack pine in Quebec, though populations crash when viral diseases sweep through colonies.