Greenhouse Whitefly Parasitoid vs Spider Wasp

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Greenhouse Whitefly Parasitoid Spider Wasp
Scientific Name Encarsia formosa Cryptocheilus bicolor
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Eulophidae Pompilidae
Size 0.5-0.8 mm 20-35 mm
Habitat Underground Woodlands
Diet Parasitoids Predators
Regions Worldwide Oceania
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Greenhouse Whitefly Parasitoid

The most widely used parasitoid wasp in greenhouse biological control worldwide. Parasitized whitefly nymphs turn black, making monitoring easy.

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Did You Know?

It reproduces entirely by parthenogenesis since males are extremely rare in commercial populations.

Spider Wasp

A large orange and black wasp that hunts huntsman spiders for its larvae.

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Did You Know?

It paralyzes spiders many times its own weight and drags them to a burrow.