Hockeria Chalcid vs Steel-blue Woodwasp

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Hockeria Chalcid Steel-blue Woodwasp
Scientific Name Hockeria unicolor Sirex cyaneus
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Chalcididae Siricidae
Size 4-6 mm 12–28 mm
Habitat Grasslands Mountains
Diet Parasitoids Wood Feeders
Regions Europe Europe
Conservation Not Evaluated Not Evaluated

Hockeria Chalcid

A metallic dark parasitoid wasp that attacks the pupae of noctuid moths in the soil. It is found across Europe in grasslands and open habitats.

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Did You Know?

Females dig into the soil to find and parasitize cutworm moth pupae hidden several centimeters below the surface.

Steel-blue Woodwasp

A metallic blue woodwasp native to Europe that breeds in fir and spruce. It is closely related to the more destructive Sirex noctilio.

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Did You Know?

Unlike its relative Sirex noctilio, this species rarely causes significant economic damage to forestry.