Internal-parasite
Guides
Chelonus
Chelonus is a genus of parasitic wasps in the family Braconidae, subfamily Cheloninae. These wasps are internal parasites of moth larvae, particularly those in superfamilies Tortricoidea and Pyraloidea. The genus contains approximately 139 species in North America north of Mexico. Chelonus wasps exhibit a distinctive abdominal structure where the first three dorsal segments are fused into a single plate, making them relatively easy to identify among braconids.
Chrysopophthorus
Chrysopophthorus is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Braconidae, with approximately eight described species distributed across four continents. The genus exhibits a notably wide geographic range, with species described from North America, South and Central America, Europe, and Asia. At least one species, C. americanus, is known to parasitize adult green lacewings (Chrysopidae), representing a specialized host association.
Chrysopophthorus americanus
Chrysopophthorus americanus is a minute parasitoid wasp in the family Braconidae, described by Mason in 1964 from the United States. It belongs to a genus distributed across four continents, with species specialized as parasitoids of chrysopid larvae (green lacewings). The wasp has been observed at blacklight traps, where it likely seeks its lacewing hosts that are also attracted to ultraviolet light. Adults exhibit distinctive pale, almost ghostly coloration with striking emerald eyes.
Conopidae
Thick-headed Flies
Conopidae, commonly known as thick-headed flies, is a family of flies within the Brachycera suborder of Diptera and the sole member of the superfamily Conopoidea. The family comprises approximately 800 species in 47 genera worldwide, with about 70 species found in North America. Adult conopids are frequent flower visitors, feeding on nectar with their often elongated proboscis. The larvae of all conopids are internal parasitoids, primarily of aculeate Hymenoptera (stinging wasps and bees), with adult females aggressively intercepting hosts in flight to deposit eggs.
Cuterebra emasculator
Squirrel Bot Fly
Cuterebra emasculator is a New World bot fly and obligate internal parasite of tree squirrels and chipmunks in eastern North America. First described by Asa Fitch in 1856, its larvae develop subcutaneously in hosts, creating characteristic swellings called warbles. The species name originated from a false belief that larvae consumed host testicles; research has shown this is not the case and parasitism does not reduce host fertility. Adults are rarely encountered, lack functional mouthparts, and live only a few days focused solely on reproduction.
Habronyx
Habronyx is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Ichneumonidae. Adults are approximately 30 mm in length. Species in this genus are internal parasitoids of Lepidopteran larvae, with females laying eggs inside caterpillars using their ovipositor. The genus contains over 50 described species distributed across Europe, Australia, and the Americas.
Melanophora
woodlouse flies
Melanophora is a genus of small parasitoid flies commonly known as woodlouse flies. Species are internal parasitoids of terrestrial isopods (woodlice), with larvae developing inside and eventually killing their hosts. The genus has a broad distribution across multiple biogeographic regions, including native Palaearctic and Afrotropical ranges and introduced populations in the Nearctic and Neotropics. Adults are typically active from spring through autumn and are often observed resting on light-coloured vertical surfaces.
Myopa vesiculosa
Myopa vesiculosa is a species of thick-headed fly in the family Conopidae, first described by Thomas Say in 1823. The genus Myopa comprises internal parasitoids of bees and wasps, with females intercepting hosts in flight to oviposit eggs between abdominal segments. Species within Myopa are generally poorly recorded, partly due to identification difficulties.
Orgilus
Orgilus is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Braconidae with nearly cosmopolitan distribution. Species within this genus are internal parasitoids of lepidopteran larvae, with documented hosts including pyralid and gelechiid moth pests. Several species have been studied as biological control agents for agricultural pests.
Physocephala
thick-headed flies
Physocephala is a genus of thick-headed flies (family Conopidae) comprising parasitoid species that develop as internal parasites of bees and wasps. Adults are wasp mimics with elongated abdomens and heavily pigmented wing margins that resemble the folded wings of potter wasps. Females attack hosts in mid-air, forcibly depositing eggs between abdominal segments. The larvae feed internally, typically killing the host within 10–12 days before pupating inside the hollow exoskeleton.
Physocephala burgessi
thick-headed fly
Physocephala burgessi is a species of thick-headed fly in the family Conopidae. Like other members of its genus, it is a parasitoid of bees and wasps. The species exhibits wasp mimicry in appearance and behavior, including an elongated abdomen resembling a wasp waist and dark pigmentation along the front wing margin that mimics the folded wing appearance of potter wasps at rest.
Physocephala marginata
thick-headed fly
Physocephala marginata is a species of thick-headed fly in the family Conopidae. It is an internal parasite of the solitary bee Anthophora abrupta. The larva develops inside the living host, with pupation occurring only after the bee's death. Like other conopid flies, adults are wasp mimics that frequent flowers for nectar.
Physoconops excisus
thick-headed fly
Physoconops excisus is a species of thick-headed fly in the family Conopidae. Like other members of the genus Physoconops, it exhibits wasp mimicry, resembling potter wasps in appearance. Conopid flies are parasitoids, with females attacking bees and wasps to deposit eggs between their abdominal segments. The larvae develop as internal parasites, eventually killing the host.
Stylogaster beresfordi
Stylogaster beresfordi is a species of thick-headed fly in the family Conopidae, described in 2014. It belongs to the distinctive subfamily Stylogastrinae, characterized by females possessing an extremely elongated, needle-like abdomen used for oviposition. The genus Stylogaster comprises approximately 92 described species distributed primarily in the Neotropics, sub-Saharan Africa, and Southeast Asia, with only two species known from North America. Members of this genus are obligate internal parasites of crickets, cockroaches, and calyptrate flies.
Thecophora
A genus of medium-sized conopid flies (4–7 mm) in the family Conopidae, characterized by black coloration with variable abdominal dusting and distinctive leg markings. Adults are active flower visitors from May to October. Larvae are internal parasitoids of halictid bees, with females depositing single eggs into flying hosts. The genus includes three species in Britain, with *Thecophora atra* being the most widely distributed and the subject of a complete genome sequencing effort.
Therion petiolatum
Therion petiolatum is a species of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae. The genus Therion comprises parasitoid wasps whose larvae develop as internal parasites of moth caterpillars. Members of this genus are known to target tiger moths and related species.
Winthemia quadripustulata
Red-Tailed Tachina
Winthemia quadripustulata is a species of tachinid fly (family Tachinidae) native to North America and parts of Europe. As a parasitoid, it has been documented as an internal parasite of caterpillars, specifically including larvae of the White-lined Sphinx moth (Hyles lineata). The species is one of several Winthemia flies known to attack sphingid caterpillars.
Zodion
thick-headed flies
Zodion is a genus of thick-headed flies in the family Conopidae. These flies are notable for their parasitic lifestyle, with females attacking solitary wasps in mid-air to deposit eggs between the host's abdominal plates. The larvae develop as internal parasites, eventually killing the host. Species in this genus are relatively small, measuring 5-7 millimeters in length, and are found in North America and Europe.
Zodion obliquefasciatum
thick-headed fly
Zodion obliquefasciatum is a species of thick-headed fly in the family Conopidae. Members of the genus Zodion are small conopid flies, typically 5–7 millimeters in length, that parasitize solitary wasps. Like other conopids, they are wasp mimics and frequent flowers for nectar while hunting for hosts.