Ensign Wasp vs Blue Morpho Caterpillar Parasite Wasp

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Ensign Wasp Blue Morpho Caterpillar Parasite Wasp
Scientific Name Evania appendigaster Conura acuta
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Evaniidae Chalcididae
Size 5-7 mm 5-10 mm
Habitat Woodlands Underground
Diet Parasitoids Parasitoids
Regions Africa, Asia, North America, South America South America (Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela)
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Ensign Wasp

A parasitoid wasp that targets cockroach egg cases and helps control pest populations.

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Did You Know?

It bobs its flag-like abdomen up and down as it walks, resembling a tiny flag bearer.

Blue Morpho Caterpillar Parasite Wasp

A metallic-colored parasitoid wasp that attacks the pupae of various Lepidoptera, including Morpho butterflies. The female inserts her ovipositor through the pupal shell to lay eggs inside the developing butterfly. Larvae consume the pupa from within before emerging as adult wasps.

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Did You Know?

A single parasitized Morpho pupa can produce dozens of tiny wasps instead of one large butterfly.