Gypsy Moth Parasite vs Yellow Ophion
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Gypsy Moth Parasite | Yellow Ophion |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cotesia melanoscela | Ophion obscuratus |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Braconidae | Ichneumonidae |
| Size | 2-4 mm | 14-18 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Farmland |
| Diet | Parasitoids | Parasitoids |
| Regions | Europe, Eastern North America | Europe |
| 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.
Yellow Ophion
A laterally flattened, tawny-yellow parasitoid wasp active at dusk and after dark. Its larvae develop as internal parasitoids of noctuid moth caterpillars.
Did You Know?
Its laterally compressed abdomen is thought to help it slip between grass blades when searching for host caterpillars.