Aphid-intermediary
Guides
Holopyga horus
Holopyga horus is a species of cuckoo wasp in the family Chrysididae. Like other members of the genus Holopyga, it is a cleptoparasite that exploits the nests of other wasps. Research indicates that females may lay eggs directly into aphids, which are then captured by crabronid wasps such as Pemphredon and carried to their nests. The cuckoo wasp larva emerges before the host larva and consumes the provisions intended for the host offspring. This indirect parasitic strategy has been documented in related Holopyga species and is suspected to occur in H. horus.