parasitic wasps
Insect body invaders
Parasitic wasps are insects that lay their eggs in or on other arthropods—typically caterpillars, aphids, or spiders.
The larvae develop by consuming the host from within, eventually killing it.
Despite the name, they function more as parasitoids than true parasites.
Many species are used in agriculture for biological pest control: Farmers released parasitic wasps to combat the tomato hornworm infestation.
- body snatcherGrave robber for cadavers
- ovipositorInsect egg-laying appendage
- egg layingDepositing fertilized ova externally
- idiobiontParasitoid killing host quickly
- larval stageEarly developmental form
ladybugs · insect · koinobiont · venom glands · lacewings · co-evolution · pupae · stinger · natural enemy · tomato hornworm · ecosystem balance · biological control · pest control · nest · caterpillar · grub · eggs · garden
- Hymenopterabees, wasps, ants, hornets, sawflies
- parasitoidsidiobiont, koinobiont, fairyflies
- insectsant, ants, bee, bees, butterfly
- pest controlinsecticide, rat trap, pesticide, mousetrap, exterminator
- aphidsaphids, greenfly, blackfly, nymphs, reproduction
- colonial insectsants, bees, termites, honeybees, fire ants
parasitic waspspredators
Animals that kill prey
autotrophs · apex predators · herbivores · detritivores · scavengers
parasitic waspsagricultural pests
Organisms harming cultivated plants
crop pests · aphids · locusts