Metaphycus Scale Parasitoid vs Rough Stink Bug
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Metaphycus Scale Parasitoid | Rough Stink Bug |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Metaphycus helvolus | Brochymena quadripustulata |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Encyrtidae | Pentatomidae |
| Size | 1-1.5 mm | 12-18 mm |
| Habitat | Orchards | Orchards |
| Diet | Parasitoids | Predators |
| Regions | Worldwide (introduced for biocontrol) | Eastern 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.
Rough Stink Bug
A gray-brown bark-colored stink bug with a rough, granular body surface that provides excellent camouflage on tree trunks. It has four small pale spots on the scutellum. It feeds on tree fruits but also preys on caterpillars.
Did You Know?
Its bark-like coloration and texture make it virtually invisible when resting on tree trunks, and it will press itself flat against the bark and freeze when disturbed.