Metaphycus Scale Parasitoid vs Black-Headed Blister Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Metaphycus Scale Parasitoid | Black-Headed Blister Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Metaphycus helvolus | Epicauta pennsylvanica |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Encyrtidae | Meloidae |
| Size | 1-1.5 mm | 10-18 mm |
| Habitat | Orchards | Grasslands |
| Diet | Parasitoids | Parasitoids |
| Regions | Worldwide (introduced for biocontrol) | North America |
| Conservation | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
Metaphycus Scale Parasitoid
A golden-yellow parasitoid wasp that attacks black scale and other soft scale insects on citrus and olive trees. It is one of the most widely used encyrtids in commercial biological control.
Did You Know?
Adults also feed directly on young scale insects by piercing them with their ovipositor, killing hosts through both parasitism and host-feeding.
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.