Ichneumon-wasp
Guides
Agrothereutes abbreviatus rufopectus
Agrothereutes abbreviatus rufopectus is a subspecies of ichneumon wasp described by Cushman in 1927. The species Agrothereutes abbreviatus is a known parasitoid of spider egg sacs, including those of the orb-weaving spider Argiope aurantia. The subspecies rufopectus has been recorded from Belgium and Canada.
Anomalon picticorne
Anomalon picticorne is a species of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae, subfamily Anomaloninae. The species was described by Viereck in 1912. Members of this genus are parasitoid wasps, though specific host associations for this species remain poorly documented. The species is known from North America based on museum specimens and citizen science observations.
Banchus inermis
Banchus inermis is a species of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae, first described by Provancher in 1874. The species is known from limited collection records in Canada. As a member of the genus Banchus, it is presumed to be a parasitoid wasp, though specific host relationships have not been documented.
Catadelphops nasutus
Catadelphops nasutus is a species of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae, subfamily Ichneumoninae. It was described by Heinrich in 1962 from specimens collected in the Santa Rita Mountains of Arizona. The species name "nasutus" refers to the distinctive bipartite swelling on the clypeus. The genus Catadelphops was erected by Heinrich based on this single species, with females characterized by being amblypygous—having a very short ovipositor and broad subgenital plate.
Ceratogastra ornata
Ceratogastra ornata is a small ichneumon wasp (10–12 mm) recognized by its ornate yellow and reddish-brown or black coloration. Four subspecies are recognized across its broad North American range, with northern specimens darker and more reduced in yellow markings than southern and western populations. The species has been suggested to mimic stinging spider wasps in appearance. Females are known to oviposit in flower buds, targeting eggs or early instars of noctuid moths in the genus Feltia.
Coelichneumon azotus
Coelichneumon azotus is a species of ichneumon wasp described by Cresson in 1864. It belongs to the large family Ichneumonidae, which comprises parasitoid wasps that develop by feeding on other arthropods, usually insects or spiders. The genus Coelichneumon is part of the subfamily Ichneumoninae, a diverse group whose members are often characterized by their slender bodies and elongated ovipositors. As with most ichneumonids, the species is presumed to be a parasitoid, though specific host records for C. azotus remain poorly documented. The species has been recorded across multiple observations on iNaturalist, indicating it is encountered with some regularity by naturalists in North America.
Colpotrochia
Colpotrochia is a genus of ichneumon wasps in the subfamily Metopiinae, containing at least 61 described species. These small wasps, averaging 6–10 mm in body length, are larval-pupal endoparasitoids of Lepidoptera. Females use a short ovipositor to lay eggs in caterpillars, with wasps emerging from the host pupa rather than the adult moth. The genus has been recorded from North America, Brazil, and Europe.
Colpotrochia fultoni
Colpotrochia fultoni is a species of ichneumon wasp in the subfamily Metopiinae, first described by Townes & Townes in 1959. Like other members of its genus, it is a parasitoid that develops inside caterpillar hosts. The species is part of a North American genus with four recognized species, all restricted to the eastern United States ranging from the Atlantic coast to just west of the Mississippi River.
Colpotrochia texana
Colpotrochia texana is a small ichneumon wasp in the subfamily Metopiinae, first described by Cresson in 1872. It is one of four North American species in the genus Colpotrochia, which are koinobiont parasitoids of caterpillars. The species is known from Brazil (Santa Catarina and São Paulo states) based on distribution records, though the genus as a whole ranges from the Atlantic coast of North America to just west of the Mississippi River.
Colpotrochia trifasciata
A small ichneumon wasp in the subfamily Metopiinae, averaging 6-10 millimeters in body length. Females possess a very short ovipositor used to lay eggs in caterpillars, particularly leafrollers in the family Tortricidae. The wasp larva develops inside the host, consuming it without disrupting the caterpillar's life cycle until after it pupates; an adult wasp emerges from the host pupa rather than a moth. One of two Colpotrochia species recorded in Massachusetts, with a range extending from the Atlantic coast to barely west of the Mississippi River.
Cratichneumon sublatus
Cratichneumon sublatus is a species of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae. It was described by Cresson in 1864 and belongs to the large genus Cratichneumon, which contains numerous parasitoid wasp species. The species has been documented through 172 iNaturalist observations, indicating it is encountered with moderate frequency by naturalists. As a member of Ichneumonidae, it is presumed to be a parasitoid of other insects, though specific host records for this species remain poorly documented.
Cryptina
Cryptina is a subtribe of ichneumon wasps within the family Ichneumonidae. Members are parasitoid wasps that attack the larvae of various moth families. The subtribe includes genera such as Mesostenus, which are characterized by bold color patterns and elongated ovipositors in females.
Cryptinae
cryptine wasps, geline wasps
Cryptinae is a large subfamily of ichneumon wasps comprising approximately 273 genera across two tribes (Aptesini and Cryptini). Members are characterized by distinctive morphological features including a five-sided areolet, short sternaulus, and convex clypeus creating a puffy facial appearance. The subfamily has undergone extensive taxonomic revision, with the name Cryptinae stabilized by ICZN Opinion 1715 in 1994. Species are distributed worldwide and function as parasitoids, primarily attacking concealed hosts such as caterpillars and other insects in protected substrates.
Cryptus moschator
Cryptus moschator is a species of ichneumon wasp described by Fabricius in 1787. It belongs to the large family Ichneumonidae, which comprises parasitoid wasps that develop on or within other insects. The species has been documented in northwestern Europe, with confirmed records from Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Available information on this species is limited, reflecting its rarity in collections and limited study.
Ctenichneumon
Ctenichneumon is a genus of ichneumon wasps in the family Ichneumonidae, described by Thomson in 1894. These wasps are parasitoids, with females possessing an ovipositor used to deposit eggs into host organisms. The genus is documented from northern Europe, with records from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
Diphyus provancheri
Diphyus provancheri is a species of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae, described by Cushman in 1925. The genus Diphyus belongs to the subfamily Ichneumoninae, a large group of parasitoid wasps. Records indicate this species has been documented in the Edmonton region of Canada. Like other members of its genus, it is presumed to be a parasitoid, though specific host associations remain undocumented.
Dolichomitus irritator
Dolichomitus irritator is a species of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae, first described by Fabricius in 1775. It belongs to a genus characterized by exceptionally long ovipositors used to reach wood-boring host larvae deep within tree trunks. The species has been documented in North America, with observations from Kansas and surrounding regions. Like other members of its genus, it is presumed to be a parasitoid of wood-boring insect larvae, though specific host records for this species appear limited in the available literature.
Enicospilus flavostigma
Enicospilus flavostigma is a species of ichneumon wasp in the subfamily Ophioninae, first described by Hooker in 1912. Like other members of its genus, it is a nocturnal parasitoid wasp with a uniformly orange or reddish-orange coloration. The species belongs to a group of large, gangly ichneumon wasps characterized by long antennae, prominent ocelli arranged in a triangle on the head, and reduced or very short ovipositors. Enicospilus species are koinobiont ectoparasitoids of lepidopteran larvae.
Enicospilus guatemalensis
Enicospilus guatemalensis is a species of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae, originally described from Guatemala. The genus Enicospilus belongs to the subfamily Ophioninae, characterized by large, gangly wasps that are often uniformly orange in color with long antennae, large ocelli arranged in a triangle on the head, and very short or nearly absent ovipositors. Species in this genus are nocturnal and frequently attracted to artificial lights.
Enicospilus purgatus
Ophionine ichneumon wasp
Enicospilus purgatus is a species of ichneumon wasp in the subfamily Ophioninae. It is a large, gangly wasp typically orange in coloration with long antennae and large ocelli arranged in a triangle on the head. Unlike the related genus Netelia, E. purgatus has a very short ovipositor that is often not readily visible. The species is nocturnal and frequently attracted to artificial lights. It is a solitary parasitoid wasp with females capable of stinging when handled.
Ephialtes decumbens
Ephialtes decumbens is a species of ichneumon wasp described by Townes in 1960. It belongs to the genus Ephialtes, a group of parasitoid wasps within the family Ichneumonidae. The species is known from extremely limited records, with only one observation documented on iNaturalist. As with other members of Ephialtes, it likely functions as a parasitoid of wood-boring beetle larvae, though specific host associations for this species remain undocumented.
Habronyx magniceps
Habronyx magniceps is a species of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae. The species was described by Cresson in 1872. Very few observations of this species exist in public databases, with only two records documented on iNaturalist. The specific epithet magniceps refers to the enlarged head characteristic of this species.
Heterischnus huardi
A Nearctic ichneumon wasp species originally described as Posocentrus huardi by Provancher in 1875. One of three known Nearctic species in the genus Heterischnus, alongside H. bicolorator and H. coloradensis. The species was redescribed in a 2021 taxonomic revision that provided the first key to Nearctic Heterischnus species.
Ichneumon ambulatorius
Ichneumon ambulatorius is a species of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae, described by Fabricius in 1775. As with most ichneumon wasps, it is a parasitoid, though specific host records for this species are not well documented in the available literature. The species has been recorded in western Canada, specifically from Alberta and Manitoba.
Ichneumon clasma
Ichneumon clasma is a species of parasitoid wasp in the family Ichneumonidae, described by Carlson in 1979. The genus Ichneumon is one of the largest genera within the family, containing numerous species that parasitize other insects. Like other ichneumon wasps, this species likely has a life history involving parasitism of host insects, though specific biological details remain poorly documented. The species is recognized in taxonomic databases but appears to be rarely encountered or reported in field observations.
Ichneumon devinctor
Ichneumon devinctor is a species of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae, first described by Thomas Say in 1825. It belongs to the large and diverse genus Ichneumon, which contains hundreds of species across North America and beyond. Like other ichneumon wasps, it is a parasitoid, with larvae developing on or within host insects. Specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented in available literature.
Ichneumon feriens
Ichneumon laetus
Ichneumon laetus is a species of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae, described by Brullé in 1846. The species has been recorded from several locations in Canada including Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. Like other members of the genus Ichneumon, this species is presumed to be a parasitoid wasp, though specific host relationships remain undocumented. The genus Ichneumon is one of the largest genera within Ichneumonidae, containing numerous species with varied ecological associations.
Ichneumon subdolus
Ichneumon subdolus is a species of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae, first described by Cresson in 1867. Like other members of the genus Ichneumon, it is a parasitoid wasp. The species has been recorded from limited localities in North America, including Calgary, Canada and Vermont, USA. Specific details about its biology, hosts, and appearance remain poorly documented in available literature.
Ichneumoninae
Ichneumoninae is the second largest subfamily of Ichneumonidae, with over 420 genera and 4,375 described species distributed worldwide. Members are typically large, conspicuous, and often brightly colored parasitoid wasps. They are koinobiont or idiobiont endoparasitoids of Lepidoptera, with larvae developing inside moth and butterfly caterpillars or pupae. The subfamily was recently reorganized from 15 tribes to 7 tribes, with Ichneumonini containing well over 300 genera.
Ischnus inquisitorius atricollaris
Ischnus inquisitorius atricollaris is a subspecies of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae. It was first described by Walsh in 1873. The subspecies is distinguished from the nominate form by its dark collar marking. It belongs to a genus of parasitoid wasps whose members attack wood-boring beetle larvae.
Limonethe maurator
Limonethe maurator is a species of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae. It is one of many ichneumon wasp species documented in North American urban and suburban environments. The species has been recorded in the central United States, including Kansas. Like other ichneumon wasps, females possess a visible ovipositor used for laying eggs.
Lissonota
Lissonota is a large genus of ichneumon wasps in the family Ichneumonidae, comprising at least 390 described species. Members of this genus are parasitoids, with documented species attacking lepidopteran pests of agricultural crops including pistachio and maguey. The genus has been recorded across Europe, Mexico, and Turkey, with distribution records from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
Melanichneumon disparilis
Melanichneumon disparilis is a species of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae, first described by Cresson in 1867. The genus Melanichneumon is part of a large group of parasitoid wasps characterized by their role in controlling other insect populations. This species belongs to the subfamily Ichneumoninae, a diverse group within the family. Available records indicate limited observational data, with 15 observations documented on iNaturalist.
Melanichneumon honestus
Melanichneumon honestus is a species of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae. It was described by Cresson in 1867. The genus Melanichneumon belongs to a diverse group of parasitoid wasps characterized by their elongated bodies and long antennae. Like other ichneumonids, this species likely functions as a parasitoid of other insects, though specific host records for this species remain limited.
Menkokia
Menkokia is a genus of ichneumon wasps in the family Ichneumonidae, established by Heinrich in 1934. The genus contains four described species: M. blandii, M. major, M. minor, and M. minorisimilis. As members of Ichneumonidae, these wasps are parasitoids, though specific host associations for Menkokia remain undocumented. The genus appears to be rarely collected, with minimal observational records available.
Menkokia blandii
Menkokia blandii is a species of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae, first described by Cresson in 1864. The genus Menkokia is a small and poorly known group within the diverse ichneumonid fauna. Very few observations of this species have been documented, with only 7 records on iNaturalist as of the source data. Its biology and ecology remain largely unstudied.
Mesochorus americanus
Mesochorus americanus is an ichneumon wasp described by Cresson in 1872. The genus Mesochorus comprises hyperparasitoids—parasitoids that attack other parasitoids rather than host insects directly. Records indicate this species has been collected at several locations in Canada, including Edmonton, Dauphin, and Lenswood. A specific host association has been documented: the species has been recorded as a parasite of California Oak Moth (Phryganidia californica) caterpillars.
Mesochorus uniformis
Mesochorus uniformis is a species of ichneumon wasp described by Cresson in 1872. It belongs to the genus Mesochorus, a group of koinobiont endoparasitoids that attack lepidopteran larvae. The species has been documented in western Canada, with records from Alberta and British Columbia.
Mesostenus gracilis
Mesostenus gracilis is a small ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae, first described by Cresson in 1864. The species is a parasitoid wasp known to attack caterpillars of several moth families, particularly those that bore into stems, shoots, or bark. It has been recorded from Canada and the United States, with observations in sunflower fields and other habitats. The species is one of approximately ten Mesostenus species occurring in North America north of Mexico.
Mesostenus sicarius
Mesostenus sicarius is a small ichneumon wasp (6–13 mm) in the subfamily Cryptinae, described by Townes in 1962. The species is closely associated with cacti in the genus Opuntia (prickly-pear), where it parasitizes stem-boring or shoot-boring caterpillars. Females possess a long, tail-like ovipositor used to deposit eggs in concealed hosts; males lack this structure. The species has been documented in Colorado and Alberta, Canada.
Mesostenus thoracicus
Mesostenus thoracicus is a species of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae. The genus Mesostenus comprises approximately ten species in North America north of Mexico, with bold black, white, and red coloration typical of the group. Members of this genus are parasitoids that target caterpillars, particularly those in the moth families Pyralidae, Crambidae, and Tortricidae. Females possess a long, tail-like ovipositor used to deposit eggs in host insects, while males lack this structure.
Odontocolon
Odontocolon is a genus of ichneumon wasps in the subfamily Xoridinae, containing at least 40 described species. These wasps are parasitoids that target wood-boring beetle larvae and sawfly larvae living in tree bark. Females possess elongated ovipositors used to drill through wood to reach their hosts, while males lack this structure. The genus is distinguished by teeth on the hind femur and exhibits holarctic distribution patterns.
Odontocolon albotibiale
Odontocolon albotibiale is a species of ichneumon wasp in the subfamily Xoridinae. The genus Odontocolon comprises 23 species north of Mexico, several with holarctic distributions. Members of this genus are recognized by teeth on the hind femur and are parasitoids of wood-boring beetles. Females possess long ovipositors for drilling into wood to reach hosts, while males lack this structure.
Odontocolon bicolor
Odontocolon bicolor is a species of ichneumon wasp in the subfamily Xoridinae, first described by Cresson in 1870. The genus Odontocolon is one of four genera in Xoridinae, all recognized as parasites of wood-boring beetles and/or Hymenoptera. Members of this genus are characterized by teeth on the hind femur and, in females, long ovipositors used to drill into wood to reach hosts. There are 23 species of Odontocolon found north of Mexico, with several being holarctic in distribution.
Odontocolon mellipes
Odontocolon mellipes is a species of ichneumon wasp in the subfamily Xoridinae. The genus Odontocolon comprises 23 species found north of Mexico, with several exhibiting holarctic distributions across the entire northern hemisphere. Females possess long ovipositors used to drill into wood to reach hosts, while males lack this structure. The species is recognized in part by teeth on the hind femur, a characteristic feature of the genus.
Odontocolon ochropus
Odontocolon ochropus is a species of ichneumon wasp in the subfamily Xoridinae, described by Townes in 1960. Like other members of its genus, it is a parasitoid of wood-boring beetles, utilizing its long ovipositor to reach hosts concealed within dead or dying wood. The species belongs to a group of 23 Odontocolon species found north of Mexico, several of which have holarctic distributions spanning the entire northern hemisphere.
Opheltes glaucopterus barberi
Opheltes glaucopterus barberi is a subspecies of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae. It has been documented as a parasitoid of elm sawfly (Cimbex americana) larvae, serving as an internal parasite. The species was described by Cushman in 1924. Distribution records indicate presence in Belgium and Canada (Calgary), with iNaturalist documenting 548 observations.
Ophion idoneus
Ophion idoneus is a species of ichneumon wasp in the subfamily Ophioninae, first described by Viereck in 1905. Like other members of the genus Ophion, it belongs to a morphologically challenging group of parasitoid wasps that have historically been difficult to distinguish from related species. The species is known from western Canada, with records from Alberta and British Columbia. Ophion wasps are nocturnal and frequently attracted to artificial lights.
Ophion nigrovarius
Ophion nigrovarius is a species of ichneumon wasp in the subfamily Ophioninae, described by Provancher in 1874. Like other members of the genus Ophion, this species is nocturnal and frequently attracted to lights. The Ophion genus has long presented taxonomic challenges due to morphological uniformity among species, with O. nigrovarius being one of many species that remained difficult to distinguish until the application of molecular and morphometric methods. It is part of a diverse North American fauna that has seen significant revision through modern systematic approaches.