Ichneumon Wasp vs Aphytis Wasp
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Ichneumon Wasp | Aphytis Wasp |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Megarhyssa macrurus | Aphytis melinus |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Ichneumonidae | Aphelinidae |
| Size | 25-50 mm body plus 100+ mm ovipositor | 0.8-1.2 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Orchards |
| Diet | Parasitoids | Parasitoids |
| Regions | North America | Worldwide citrus-growing regions |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
Ichneumon Wasp
A large parasitoid wasp with an extremely long, thread-like ovipositor that can exceed the length of its body. Females drill through solid wood to reach their host larvae deep inside.
Did You Know?
The female can somehow detect horntail larvae vibrations through several centimeters of solid wood and then drill her flexible ovipositor to reach them with remarkable accuracy.
Aphytis Wasp
A tiny golden-yellow parasitoid wasp that is the primary biocontrol agent of California red scale on citrus. It lays eggs beneath the scale cover where its larva feeds externally on the host.
Did You Know?
California produces over one billion of these wasps per year for release in citrus orchards.