Large Square-headed Wasp vs Alfalfa Weevil Parasitoid

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Large Square-headed Wasp Alfalfa Weevil Parasitoid
Scientific Name Ectemnius cephalotes Bathyplectes curculionis
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Crabronidae Ichneumonidae
Size 12-18 mm 2-4 mm
Habitat Woodlands Farmland
Diet Wood Feeders Parasitoids
Regions Europe Europe, North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Large Square-headed Wasp

A large solitary wasp that nests in dead wood and provisions its nest with captured flies. Has a distinctively large, square-shaped head. Common in gardens and woodland.

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Did You Know?

Nests in old beetle holes in dead wood, stocking each cell with paralyzed flies for its developing larvae.

Alfalfa Weevil Parasitoid

A small parasitoid wasp that attacks alfalfa weevil larvae in North America. It was introduced from Europe as a classical biological control agent.

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Did You Know?

This wasp reduced alfalfa weevil populations by over 75% in some areas after its introduction.