Gypsy Moth Parasite vs Black-Headed Blister Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Gypsy Moth Parasite | Black-Headed Blister Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cotesia melanoscela | Epicauta pennsylvanica |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Braconidae | Meloidae |
| Size | 2-4 mm | 10-18 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Grasslands |
| Diet | Parasitoids | Parasitoids |
| Regions | Europe, Eastern North America | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Gypsy Moth Parasite
A small braconid introduced to North America to control the invasive gypsy moth. It attacks early-instar caterpillars and larvae emerge to pupate externally.
Did You Know?
It was one of the first parasitoid wasps deliberately imported to North America for classical biological control in the early 1900s.
Black-Headed Blister Beetle
An entirely black blister beetle common across eastern North America, often seen in large groups on goldenrod in autumn. Its larvae are parasitoids of grasshopper eggs.
Did You Know?
Larvae go through hypermetamorphosis, changing dramatically in form across five different larval stages.