Thistle Gall Wasp vs Spalangia Fly Parasite

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Thistle Gall Wasp Spalangia Fly Parasite
Scientific Name Isocolus scabiosae Spalangia cameroni
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Cynipidae Pteromalidae
Size 1.5-2.5 mm 1.5-2.5 mm
Habitat Meadows Farmland
Diet Gall Makers Scavengers
Regions Europe, Western Asia Worldwide
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Thistle Gall Wasp

A minute gall-inducing wasp that forms swellings on knapweed flower heads. It has been studied as a potential biocontrol agent for invasive knapweeds.

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Did You Know?

A single flower head can contain dozens of tiny gall chambers, each housing one larva.

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.