Steel-blue Woodwasp vs Spalangia Fly Parasite

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Steel-blue Woodwasp Spalangia Fly Parasite
Scientific Name Sirex cyaneus Spalangia cameroni
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Siricidae Pteromalidae
Size 12–28 mm 1.5-2.5 mm
Habitat Mountains Farmland
Diet Wood Feeders Scavengers
Regions Europe Worldwide
Conservation Not Evaluated Not Evaluated

Steel-blue Woodwasp

A metallic blue woodwasp native to Europe that breeds in fir and spruce. It is closely related to the more destructive Sirex noctilio.

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Did You Know?

Unlike its relative Sirex noctilio, this species rarely causes significant economic damage to forestry.

Spalangia Fly Parasite

A small dark wasp that parasitizes fly pupae in manure and decaying organic matter. It is commercially reared for biological control of filth flies on livestock farms.

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Did You Know?

Millions are commercially released on cattle and poultry farms each year to suppress nuisance house flies and stable flies.