Pteromalus Pupal Wasp vs Cereal Leaf Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Pteromalus Pupal Wasp Cereal Leaf Beetle
Scientific Name Pteromalus puparum Oulema melanopus
Order Hymenoptera Coleoptera
Family Pteromalidae Chrysomelidae
Size 2-3 mm 4-5 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Parasitoids Seed Feeders
Regions Europe, North America, Asia, Oceania Europe, North America (invasive), Asia
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Pteromalus Pupal Wasp

A small metallic-green parasitoid that attacks butterfly and moth pupae, particularly those of cabbage whites. Multiple wasps develop within a single host pupa.

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Did You Know?

Up to 200 tiny wasps can emerge from a single cabbage white butterfly chrysalis.

Cereal Leaf Beetle

A small beetle with metallic blue-black elytra and a red-orange thorax. Its larvae strip the upper leaf surface of cereal crops.

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Did You Know?

Larvae carry a shield of their own faeces on their backs to deter predators and prevent desiccation.