Ichneumonid
Guides
Acaenitinae
Acaenitinae is a subfamily of parasitoid wasps within Ichneumonidae, comprising 28 genera distributed across all continents except Antarctica. The subfamily is poorly known biologically, with only one species (Acaenitus dubitator) reared to confirm its life history as a koinobiont endoparasitoid of weevil larvae. Females possess a distinctive large triangular projecting genital plate, a key diagnostic feature. Traditional tribal classification into Acaenitini and Coleocentrini remains debated, with molecular studies challenging the monophyly of Coleocentrini.
Acrolytina
Acrolytina is a subtribe within the ichneumonid subfamily Campopleginae. Members are parasitoid wasps, with the subtribe containing at least the genus Acrolyta. The group is part of the diverse ichneumonid fauna, though specific biological details remain poorly documented in available literature.
Acroricnus
Acroricnus is a genus of ichneumonid wasps that parasitize mud-dauber wasps (family Sphecidae). At least one species, A. seductor, has been studied for its host detection behavior and acts as a kleptoparasitoid, consuming spider prey and young host larvae in mud-dauber nests. The genus includes eight described species distributed across multiple continents.
Acroricnus stylator edwardsii
Acroricnus stylator edwardsii is a subspecies of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae. It is known as a parasite of mud dauber wasps, specifically targeting the nests of the Black and Yellow Mud Dauber (Sceliphron caementarium). The species was described by Cresson in 1879. Like other members of the genus Acroricnus, it likely possesses the elongated body and prominent ovipositor characteristic of ichneumon wasps that parasitize concealed hosts in mud nests or wood.
Aethecerus parvus
Aethecerus parvus is a species of ichneumonid wasp described by Provancher in 1875. It belongs to the family Ichneumonidae, one of the largest families of wasps, whose members are primarily parasitoids of other insects. The genus Aethecerus is part of the superfamily Ichneumonoidea. Available records for this species are extremely limited, with only one observation documented in iNaturalist.
Agathilla
Agathilla is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Ichneumonidae, established by Westwood in 1882. It belongs to the diverse superfamily Ichneumonoidea, which contains thousands of species that parasitize other insects. Members of this genus are small to medium-sized wasps with the characteristic slender body and long antennae typical of ichneumonids. The genus is rarely encountered and poorly documented in scientific literature.
Agathilla bradleyi
Agathilla bradleyi is a species of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae, described by Viereck in 1905. It belongs to the genus Agathilla, a group of parasitoid wasps within the superfamily Ichneumonoidea. The species is part of the diverse Hymenoptera fauna of North America. Like other ichneumonids, it is presumed to be a parasitoid, though specific host associations and detailed biology remain poorly documented.
Agrothereutina
Agrothereutina is a subtribe of ichneumonid wasps within the subfamily Cryptinae, tribe Phygadeuontini. Members are parasitoid wasps, likely targeting concealed hosts such as pupae or larvae of other insects. The subtribe is represented by thousands of observations, indicating relatively common occurrence in suitable habitats. As with most cryptine ichneumonids, species in this subtribe are generally small to medium-sized with slender bodies and long antennae.
Alexeter
Alexeter is a genus of ichneumonid wasps in the subfamily Ctenopelmatinae, tribe Mesoleiini. First described by Förster in 1869, the genus has a primarily Holarctic distribution with highest diversity in temperate regions, though species also occur in mountainous areas of the Oriental and Neotropical regions. Species are koinobiont endoparasitoids of sawfly larvae (Tenthredinoidea).
Allophrys
Allophrys is a genus of ichneumonid wasps in the subfamily Tersilochinae. Species have been described from multiple regions including Asia, Africa, and Australia. The genus was established by Förster in 1869 and currently contains approximately 25 described species.
Allophrys divaricata
Allophrys divaricata is a species of ichneumon wasp described by Horstmann in 2010. It belongs to the family Ichneumonidae, one of the largest families of parasitoid wasps. The species has been recorded from the Nearctic and Neotropical regions, including the United States, Mexico, Trinidad & Tobago, and Argentina. Like other ichneumonids, it is presumed to be a parasitoid, though specific biological details remain limited.
Anisobas
Anisobas is a moderately diverse genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Ichneumonidae. The genus is distributed across the Holarctic and Indo-Malaysian regions, with seven species currently known from the Nearctic region. Members of this genus are parasitoids, with at least one species (Anisobas coloradensis) having documented host associations with Lycaenidae butterflies.
Anomalon ejuncidum
Anomalon ejuncidum is a species of ichneumonid wasp in the genus Anomalon. The species was described by Thomas Say in 1835 and is currently recognized as valid. Members of the genus Anomalon are generally parasitoid wasps, though specific host associations for A. ejuncidum remain poorly documented. The species has been recorded from Brazil.
Aperileptus
Aperileptus is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Ichneumonidae, first described by Arnold Förster in 1869. The genus has an almost cosmopolitan distribution. Two species are currently recognized: Aperileptus albipalpus and Aperileptus impurus. As ichneumonids, members of this genus are presumed to be parasitoids of other insects, though specific host associations remain poorly documented.
Astiphromma splenium
Astiphromma splenium is a species of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae, first described by John Curtis in 1833. The genus Astiphromma is small and poorly documented in the literature, with limited biological information available for most species. Records indicate this species occurs in Canada, with observations from Alberta and British Columbia. Like other ichneumonid wasps, it is presumed to be a parasitoid, though specific host associations remain undocumented.
Baryceros
Baryceros is a genus of ichneumon wasps in the family Ichneumonidae, established by Gravenhorst in 1829. As members of the ichneumonid wasps, species in this genus are parasitoids, though specific host associations remain poorly documented. The genus is part of the diverse ichneumonid radiation, one of the largest families within Hymenoptera.
Barycnemis
Barycnemis is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Ichneumonidae, first described by Förster in 1869. The genus contains approximately 19 described species distributed across Europe and North America. These wasps are known to parasitize beetles in the genera Byrrhus, Bledius, and Pissodes.
Barytarbes
Barytarbes is a genus of ichneumon wasps in the family Ichneumonidae, described by Förster in 1869. The genus contains species of parasitoid wasps, though specific details about their biology remain poorly documented. Records indicate presence in Scandinavia. The genus is rarely encountered and has received limited study.
Campoctonus
Campoctonus is a genus of ichneumon wasps in the family Ichneumonidae, first described by Viereck in 1912. The genus belongs to the diverse parasitoid wasp lineage within Hymenoptera. As of current records, the genus has been rarely documented, with only three observations on iNaturalist. Species in this genus are presumed to be parasitoids of other insects, consistent with the biology of their family, though specific host relationships remain undocumented.
Campoletis sonorensis
Campoletis sonorensis is a parasitoid ichneumonid wasp distributed across much of the Americas, including the United States, Brazil, and Chile. It is a generalist endoparasitoid of lepidopteran larvae, with documented hosts including Spodoptera frugiperda, Spodoptera exigua, Helicoverpa species, Chrysodeixis includens, and Heliothis virescens. The species employs sophisticated immune evasion strategies involving a mutualistic polydnavirus (Campoletis sonorensis ichnovirus, CsIV) and ovarian proteins that suppress host hemocyte function and prevent encapsulation. It has been extensively studied as a model system for host-parasitoid interactions, host selection behavior, and biological control potential.
Campoplex
Campoplex is a genus of ichneumonid parasitic wasps in the tribe Campoplegini. Species are larval endoparasitoids with narrow host ranges, primarily targeting lepidopteran pests. Several species have been investigated for biological control of agricultural pests, particularly in vineyards. The genus is taxonomically challenging, with species historically difficult to distinguish due to inadequate descriptions.
Campoplex frustranae
Campoplex frustranae is a species of ichneumon wasp described by Cushman in 1927. It belongs to the subfamily Campopleginae, a group of parasitoid wasps that develop inside host insects. The specific epithet "frustranae" suggests an association with the genus Frusana (a genus of tortricid moths), though this relationship has not been confirmed in published literature. Like other Campoplex species, it likely parasitizes lepidopteran larvae. The species is rarely collected and poorly known.
Chorinaeus aequalis
Chorinaeus aequalis is a species of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae, described by Townes & Townes in 1959. It belongs to the genus Chorinaeus, which is part of the superfamily Ichneumonoidea. The species is known from at least one occurrence record in Edmonton, Canada, as documented in the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). Like other ichneumonid wasps, it is presumed to be a parasitoid, though specific host relationships have not been documented.
Cidaphus occidentalis
Cidaphus occidentalis is a species of ichneumonid wasp in the genus Cidaphus, first described by Cushman in 1924. The type specimen, a female, was collected from Revelstoke, British Columbia. The species belongs to a genus of parasitoid wasps whose biology remains poorly documented. Additional Canadian records include locations in Alberta (Edmonton, Elkwater Provincial Park, Wagner Natural Area) and the Northwest Territories (Franklin).
Coelichneumon pulcher
Coelichneumon pulcher is a species of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae. The species was first described by Brulle in 1846. Like other members of its genus, it is a parasitoid wasp. It has been recorded in limited observations on iNaturalist, suggesting it is either uncommon or underreported.
Coelichneumon punctifer
Coelichneumon punctifer is a species of ichneumon wasp described by Heinrich in 1961. It belongs to the large family Ichneumonidae, a group of parasitoid wasps that are among the most diverse in Hymenoptera. The genus Coelichneumon is characterized by specific morphological features of the antennae and propodeum. This species is poorly documented in public literature, with minimal observational records available.
Coelichneumon sassacus
Coelichneumon sassacus is a species of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae. It was described by Viereck in 1917. Very little published information exists on the biology or ecology of this specific species. The genus Coelichneumon belongs to a large group of parasitoid wasps, though species-level details remain poorly documented.
Coleocentrus
Coleocentrus is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Ichneumonidae, established by Gravenhorst in 1829. The genus contains multiple described species distributed across northern Europe and North America. As ichneumonid wasps, members of this genus are presumed to be parasitoids of other insects, though specific host associations remain poorly documented in published literature.
Coleocentrus harringtoni
Coleocentrus harringtoni is a species of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae, described by Cushman in 1920. Members of the genus Coleocentrus are parasitoid wasps, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented. The genus is characterized by distinctive morphological features related to its host-finding adaptations.
Coleocentrus occidentalis occidentalis
Coleocentrus occidentalis occidentalis is a subspecies of ichneumonid wasp in the genus Coleocentrus. Members of this genus are parasitoid wasps, and C. occidentalis as a species has been documented as a parasitoid of wood-boring beetle larvae. The subspecies designation indicates geographic differentiation within the western North American range of the species. Like other ichneumonids, this wasp likely possesses a long ovipositor adapted for reaching hosts concealed in wood.
Collyria coxator
Collyria coxator is an ichneumonid wasp that acts as a specialized parasitoid of stem sawflies (Cephidae). It has been studied as a biological control agent for the common stem sawfly Cephus pygmaeus, a pest of winter cereals. Its effectiveness as a population regulator varies with summer weather conditions.
Colpognathus
Colpognathus is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Ichneumonidae, first described by Wesmael in 1845. Members are found in Europe and North America, with confirmed records from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. The genus includes at least two described species: C. annulicornis and C. capitatus. As ichneumonid wasps, they are presumed to be parasitoids of other insects, though specific host associations remain poorly documented.
Colpognathus helvus
Colpognathus helvus is a species of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae. It was described by Cresson in 1867. The genus Colpognathus contains relatively small, slender ichneumonids. Available records are limited, with approximately 40 observations documented on iNaturalist.
Cosmoconus
Cosmoconus is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Ichneumonidae, first described by Förster in 1869. The genus contains at least two described species: Cosmoconus ceratophorus and Cosmoconus elongator. These wasps are found in Europe and North America. As ichneumonids, members of this genus are presumed to be parasitoids of other insects, though specific host associations remain poorly documented.
Cratichneumon arizonensis
Cratichneumon arizonensis is a species of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae, first described by Henry Lorenz Viereck in 1905. The species is known from a small number of observations, with records indicating presence in North America. As with other members of the genus Cratichneumon, this species is presumed to be a parasitoid, though specific host relationships remain undocumented. The species epithet 'arizonensis' suggests a type locality or primary distribution associated with Arizona.
Cratichneumon facetus
Cratichneumon facetus is a species of ichneumon wasp described by Cresson in 1867. It belongs to a large genus within Ichneumonidae, a family of parasitoid wasps. The species has been documented through limited observations, with records in iNaturalist indicating its presence in North America. Like other members of its family, it likely functions as a parasitoid of other insects, though specific host relationships remain undocumented.
Cratichneumon pseudanisotae
Cratichneumon pseudanisotae is a species of ichneumon wasp described by Heinrich in 1961. It belongs to the large family Ichneumonidae, one of the most diverse families of parasitoid wasps. The genus Cratichneumon comprises medium-sized ichneumonids characterized by robust body proportions and specific wing venation patterns. Very few observations of this species have been recorded, with only two documented occurrences in iNaturalist.
Cratichneumon viator acerbus
Cratichneumon viator acerbus is a subspecies of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae. It was described by Cresson in 1867. As a member of the genus Cratichneumon, it belongs to a group of parasitoid wasps. Records indicate presence in parts of Europe and North America.
Cryptopimpla
Cryptopimpla is a genus of ichneumonid wasps in the subfamily Banchinae, tribe Atrophini. The genus is known from the Afrotropical region and parts of Europe (Denmark, Norway, Sweden). Recent taxonomic work has revised the Afrotropical fauna, describing two new South African species and providing identification keys for 11 Afrotropical species. The genus has undergone taxonomic reassessment, with at least one species transferred to Lissonota based on female morphological characters.
Cryptus moschator iroquois
Cryptus moschator iroquois is a subspecies of ichneumonid wasp described by Viereck in 1917. It belongs to the genus Cryptus, a group of parasitoid wasps within the family Ichneumonidae. The subspecies epithet 'iroquois' suggests a connection to the Iroquois region or peoples, though the specific etymology is not documented in available sources. Like other members of its genus, it is presumed to be a parasitoid, but specific host associations and biological details remain undocumented.
Ctenopelmatinae
Ctenopelmatinae is a cosmopolitan subfamily of ichneumonid wasps comprising approximately 95 genera of koinobiont endoparasitoids. Members are small to medium-sized wasps that primarily attack sawflies (Symphyta), with some species parasitizing Lepidoptera. The subfamily was historically classified within Tryphoninae but was separated based on larval morphology and ecological traits. Ctenopelmatines are particularly abundant in temperate Holarctic regions, where they can constitute over 10% of local ichneumonid faunas in cooler areas.
Cubocephalus
Cubocephalus is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Ichneumonidae, established by Ratzeburg in 1848. Members of this genus are ichneumonid wasps, a diverse group characterized by their parasitoid lifestyle and distinctive morphology including elongated antennae and often prominent ovipositors. The genus has been documented from Scandinavian countries including Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. As with many ichneumonid genera, detailed biological information remains limited.
Cubocephalus atriclunis
Cubocephalus atriclunis is a species of ichneumon wasp described by Townes and Gupta in 1962. The genus Cubocephalus belongs to the large family Ichneumonidae, a diverse group of parasitoid wasps. Very few records of this species exist in public databases. The specific epithet atriclunis refers to dark (ater/black) and club (clunis) characteristics, likely describing a morphological feature of the species.
Cylloceriinae
Cylloceriinae is a subfamily of ichneumonid wasps containing two genera. The subfamily is poorly known biologically, with most information limited to taxonomy and distribution. Species in the genus Cylloceria have been recorded from Mexico, Central America, and the Neotropical region. Host associations and detailed biology remain undocumented.
Cymodusa distincta
Cymodusa distincta is a small species of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae. The species was described by Cresson in 1864 and has been documented in Canada, with distribution records from Edmonton and Elbow. It has been observed during blacklighting surveys in spring, suggesting nocturnal activity patterns typical of many ichneumonid wasps.
Delomerista
Delomerista is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Ichneumonidae, established by Förster in 1869. The genus contains at least two described species: D. borealis and D. mandibularis. Members of this genus have been recorded across Eurasia, North America, and Southern Africa. As ichneumonid wasps, they are presumed to be parasitoids of other insects, though specific host associations remain undocumented in the available sources.
Diplazon
Diplazon is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Ichneumonidae, subfamily Diplazontinae. The genus has cosmopolitan distribution with records from Europe, North America, and Asia. Species in this genus are known to parasitize syrphid fly larvae (hoverflies), with D. laetatorius being the most studied species. At least nine species occur in Japan alone, indicating substantial regional diversity.
Diradops bethunei
Diradops bethunei is an ichneumonid parasitoid wasp known to attack the notodontid moth Heterocampa manteo. It has been documented to cause developmental abnormalities in its host, specifically reducing larval head capsule size. The species occurs in the northeastern United States, with records from Vermont.
Dirophanes mellinus
Dirophanes mellinus is a species of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae, first described by Provancher in 1875. The genus Dirophanes belongs to the diverse parasitoid wasp family Ichneumonidae, one of the largest families of insects. As with most ichneumonids, this species is presumed to be a parasitoid of other insects, though specific host records for D. mellinus are not well documented. The species is rarely encountered and poorly known in the scientific literature.
Dolichomitus pterelas
A parasitoid wasp in the family Ichneumonidae, characterized by an exceptionally long ovipositor used to reach host larvae concealed deep within wood. The species exhibits aposematic coloration with metallic blue-black body and golden-yellow wings. It is a solitary parasitoid of wood-boring insect larvae.