Dogwood Borer vs Aphytis Wasp
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Dogwood Borer | Aphytis Wasp |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Synanthedon scitula | Aphytis melinus |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Sesiidae | Aphelinidae |
| Size | 18–23 mm wingspan | 0.8-1.2 mm |
| Habitat | Orchards | Orchards |
| Diet | Root Feeders | Parasitoids |
| Regions | Eastern North America | Worldwide citrus-growing regions |
| Conservation | Not Evaluated | Not Evaluated |
Dogwood Borer
A clearwing moth whose larvae bore beneath the bark of dogwood, apple, and other trees. It is a significant pest of apple orchards on dwarfing rootstocks.
Did You Know?
It preferentially attacks the swollen graft unions on dwarf apple trees, which can kill productive orchard trees.
Aphytis Wasp
A tiny golden-yellow parasitoid wasp that is the primary biocontrol agent of California red scale on citrus. It lays eggs beneath the scale cover where its larva feeds externally on the host.
Did You Know?
California produces over one billion of these wasps per year for release in citrus orchards.