Aleiodes aciculatus

Aleiodes aciculatus can be distinguished from other Aleiodes species by the presence of aciculate (needle-like) sculpturing on the propodeum and mesonotum, as suggested by its specific epithet. The species exhibits the typical Aleiodes body plan: a robust mesosoma, reduced wing venation with a characteristic closed cell in the forewing, and a metasoma that tapers toward the apex. Accurate identification requires examination of antennal segment counts, propodeal carination patterns, and coloration of the legs and metasoma, preferably through comparison with type material or diagnostic keys to Nearctic Aleiodes.

Eastern North America; the type locality and primary distribution center on regions sampled by 19th-century entomological surveys in the United States. Specimens are held in the Entomology Research Museum at the University of California, Riverside, among other collections.

• Lepidoptera - parasitoidkoinobiont endoparasitoid; specific host species unconfirmed for A. aciculatus

Aleiodes aciculatus functions as a parasitoid of caterpillars, contributing to natural regulation of lepidopteran populations. By mummifying hosts, it produces durable remains that may serve as food sources for scavengers and detritivores in forest and grassland ecosystems.

• Aleiodes indiscretusOverlapping eastern North American distribution and similar body size; distinguished by propodeal sculpturing pattern and antennal proportions
• Aleiodes circumscriptusShared habitat preferences and coloration; differs in wing venation details and metasomal tergite sculpturing

• parasitoid
• Braconidae
• Aleiodes
• North America
• mummy wasp
• Lepidoptera parasitoid
• Cresson 1869
• endoparasitoid
• koinobiont

• BugGuide
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• Catalogue of Life
• Primary Type List | Entomology Research Museum
• Denmark Museum Highlights UW Entomologist’s Naming of Shakira Wasp