Netelia Ichneumon Wasp vs Parnopes Cuckoo Wasp

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Netelia Ichneumon Wasp Parnopes Cuckoo Wasp
Scientific Name Netelia melanura Parnopes grandior
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Ichneumonidae Chrysididae
Size 14-18 mm 8-13 mm
Habitat Underground Beaches & Coastal
Diet Parasitoids Parasites
Regions Europe Europe, North Africa, Western Asia
Conservation Least Concern Near Threatened

Netelia Ichneumon Wasp

A large orange ichneumon wasp attracted to light at night. Parasitizes noctuid moth caterpillars. Has a distinctive compressed, blade-like abdomen.

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Did You Know?

Regularly enters houses at night, attracted by lights, and can give a mild sting if handled.

Parnopes Cuckoo Wasp

A large and robust cuckoo wasp with a metallic green thorax and brilliant red abdomen. It exclusively parasitizes beewolf wasps in sandy habitats.

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Did You Know?

It is entirely dependent on beewolf wasps for reproduction, so its populations decline wherever beewolves disappear.