Parasitoid
Guides
Entiinae
Entiinae is a subfamily of chalcid wasps within the family Eulophidae, established by Hedqvist in 1974. It was formerly known as Euderinae until that name was determined to be a junior homonym. The subfamily comprises 18 genera of small parasitoid wasps. Members are known to parasitize insects associated with fungi, particularly fungus beetles in the family Ciidae.
Entypus
Entypus is a genus of spider wasps (family Pompilidae) comprising at least 40 described species. These solitary wasps are known from the Americas, with records extending from the United States to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Members of this genus are parasitoids that hunt spiders to provision nests for their offspring. The genus includes recently described species such as E. renata from Brazil.
Entypus aratus
Entypus aratus is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, described by Townes in 1957. Members of this genus are solitary wasps that hunt spiders as prey for their larvae. The species is known from a small number of observations, suggesting it may be uncommon or underrecorded.
Entypus unifasciatus
spider wasp
Entypus unifasciatus is a spider wasp species in the family Pompilidae. Females hunt large spiders, paralyze them with venom, and provision underground burrows as food for their developing larvae. The species exhibits a broad transcontinental distribution across the Americas. Adults display distinctive coloration with black bodies, bluish sheen, yellow antennae, and variable orange-banded wings.
Epalpus albomaculatus
Epalpus albomaculatus is a species of tachinid fly (family Tachinidae) native to North America. The species was described by Jaennicke in 1867. Like other members of its family, it is a parasitoid fly, though specific host associations for this species remain undocumented. The genus Epalpus comprises several North American species characterized by distinctive markings and bristle patterns.
Epalpus rufipes
Epalpus rufipes is a species of tachinid fly described by Brooks in 1949. It belongs to the family Tachinidae, a diverse group of parasitoid flies whose larvae develop inside other insects. The species is known to occur in North America. Specific details regarding its biology, host associations, and ecology remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Epalpus signifer
Early Tachinid Fly
Epalpus signifer is a species of bristle fly in the family Tachinidae, commonly known as the Early Tachinid Fly. It is distributed across North America and is one of the earliest tachinid flies to appear in spring. The species is well-documented through citizen science observations, with over 4,000 records on iNaturalist. As a tachinid, it is presumed to be a parasitoid of other insects, though specific host records for this species are not well established.
Epanusia
Epanusia is a genus of encyrtid wasps established by Girault in 1913. It belongs to the subtribe Platencyrtina within the tribe Discodini. The genus is part of the large and diverse family Encyrtidae, which contains numerous parasitoid species associated with various insect hosts. A redescription of Epanusia xerophila from Canada has been published, but biological information remains limited.
Eparces
Eparces is a genus of ichneumonid wasps in the subfamily Ichneumoninae, first described by Förster in 1869. The Nearctic fauna was revised in 2023, resulting in the description of Eparces australis from the southeastern United States and new distributional records for Eparces quadriceps. The genus belongs to the large parasitoid wasp family Ichneumonidae, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Ephialtes
Ephialtes is a genus of ichneumonid wasps (family Ichneumonidae, subfamily Pimplinae, tribe Ephialtini) established by Gravenhorst in 1829. The genus includes species that are ectoparasitoids of solitary aculeate Hymenoptera, with females possessing notably long ovipositors adapted for accessing host nests. Ephialtes manifestator, the type species and best-documented member, has been subject to genome sequencing and ecological study. The genus is distributed across Europe and has been recorded in North America.
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.
Ephialtini
Ephialtini is a tribe of ichneumonid wasps within the subfamily Pimplinae, comprising approximately 17 genera and at least 120 species. Members are exclusively parasitoids of spiders (Araneae), with many species belonging to the 'Polysphincta group' that attack post-embryonic spiders. These wasps exhibit diverse host specificity patterns, ranging from polyphagy across multiple spider families to strict specialization on particular host species or genera. Some species parasitize adult spiders while others attack spider egg sacs.
Ephuta argenticeps
Ephuta argenticeps is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae. Velvet ants are solitary wasps, with females being wingless and males winged. The species is known from a small number of observations, limiting detailed ecological understanding.
Ephuta spinifera
Ephuta spinifera is a species of velvet ant (family Mutillidae), a group of solitary wasps known for their dense, velvety pubescence and aposematic coloration. Like other mutillids, females are wingless and often mistaken for ants, while males are winged. The genus Ephuta is part of the diverse North American velvet ant fauna, though specific biological details for E. spinifera remain poorly documented in published literature.
Epicauta vittata
striped blister beetle, old-fashioned potato beetle
Epicauta vittata is a blister beetle native to eastern North America, known for its distinctive black and yellow striped coloration and its status as a significant agricultural pest. Adults feed voraciously on a wide range of crop plants, particularly solanaceous species, and are capable of forming dense aggregations that move en masse through fields. The species contains cantharidin, a toxic terpenoid that poses serious health risks to livestock, particularly horses, when beetles are accidentally consumed in hay. The complex life cycle includes a mobile triungulin larval stage that parasitizes grasshopper egg cases before becoming a sedentary grub.
Epigrimyia polita
Epigrimyia polita is a species of bristle fly in the family Tachinidae. It is known as a parasitoid of adult Galgupha ovalis bugs, a species of shield bug. The species was described by Townsend in 1891 and is found in the United States.
Epigrimyiini
Epigrimyiini is a small tribe of tachinid flies (family Tachinidae) within the subfamily Dexiinae. The tribe contains two genera: Epigrimyia and Beskia. Members are parasitoid flies, though specific host associations remain poorly documented. The tribe has a limited number of observations, suggesting either rarity or undercollection.
Epitomus
Epitomus is a genus of ichneumon wasps in the family Ichneumonidae, established by Förster in 1869. The genus is poorly known, with only two observations recorded on iNaturalist and minimal published biological data. It has been documented from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. As with other ichneumonid genera, members are presumed to be parasitoid wasps, but specific host associations and ecological details remain undocumented.
Epitranus clavatus
Epitranus clavatus is a species of chalcid wasp in the family Chalcididae, order Hymenoptera. The genus Epitranus comprises parasitoid wasps, and members of this family are typically associated with parasitizing other insects. Distribution records indicate occurrence in Yemen (YE). The species was described by Fabricius in 1804. Beyond taxonomic placement and limited distributional data, detailed biological information for this species is not well documented in available sources.
Epomidiopteron
Epomidiopteron is a genus of solitary wasps in the family Tiphiidae, established by Romand in 1835. Members of this genus are parasitoid wasps, with females laying eggs on or near scarab beetle larvae that serve as hosts for their developing young. The genus is relatively poorly documented compared to other tiphiid genera, with limited species-level taxonomic revision in recent decades.
Epomidiopteron julii
A species of wasp in the family Tiphiidae. This species has been documented in multiple Brazilian states, with 42 observations recorded on iNaturalist. Members of Tiphiidae are generally solitary wasps, and many are parasitoids of scarab beetle larvae.
Eprhopalotus
Eprhopalotus is a genus of small parasitoid wasps in the family Eulophidae, first described by Girault in 1916. The genus comprises five described species, all named by Hansson in 2004 except for the type species E. purpureithorax. These wasps occur from Costa Rica and Mexico north to Texas. The synonym Aabacharis has been applied specifically to E. hansoni, resulting in dual nomenclature for that species.
Epsilogaster
Epsilogaster is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Braconidae, established by Whitfield and Mason in 1994. As a member of the subfamily Microgastrinae (implied by its taxonomic placement within Braconidae), it likely comprises small koinobiont endoparasitoids of lepidopteran larvae. The genus is poorly documented in public literature, with minimal species-level information available. A single observation exists on iNaturalist, indicating it is rarely encountered or reported.
Epyrinae
Epyrinae is a subfamily of parasitoid wasps within the family Bethylidae (Hymenoptera). The subfamily contains the tribe Sclerodermini, which has been subject to recent taxonomic revision due to phylogenetic analyses revealing paraphyly and polyphyly in several genera. Members of this subfamily are characterized by specific morphological traits used in cladistic analyses, with 72 female characters documented for Sclerodermini alone. The group has a worldwide distribution with 13 genera currently recognized in Sclerodermini, though generic boundaries remain under investigation.
Eremotylus subfuliginosus
Eremotylus subfuliginosus is a species of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae, described by Ashmead in 1894. Members of the genus Eremotylus are recognized as parasitoid wasps, though specific biological details for this species remain limited. The species has been documented through a small number of observations on iNaturalist, suggesting it is either uncommon or underrecorded.
Eretmocerinae
Eretmocerinae is a subfamily of minute parasitoid wasps within the family Aphelinidae. Members are known primarily as parasitoids of whiteflies (Aleyrodidae). The subfamily was established by Shafee and Khan in 1978 and contains the genus Eretmocerus, which is the most widely studied group within the subfamily due to its importance in biological control.
Eriborus
Eriborus is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Ichneumonidae with nearly cosmopolitan distribution. Species in this genus are koinobiont endoparasitoids, primarily attacking larval hosts in several lepidopteran families including Pyralidae, Cossidae, Sesiidae, and Noctuidae. Several species have been studied extensively for biological control applications, particularly against agricultural pests such as the European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) and cabbage cluster caterpillar (Crocidolomia pavonana). The genus includes species with documented diurnal activity patterns and temperature-dependent developmental rates.
Eriborus terebrans
Eriborus terebrans is a solitary parasitoid wasp in the family Ichneumonidae. It has been documented as a parasitoid of European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) caterpillars and Paranthrene tabaniformis caterpillars. The species was first described by Gravenhorst in 1829 under the basionym Campoplex terebrans.
Ericydnus
Ericydnus is a genus of parasitic wasps in the family Encyrtidae, subfamily Tetracneminae. The genus was established by Haliday in 1832 and includes species formerly placed in Grandoriella. Members are known from the Palearctic region, with records from Europe and China. Species in this genus are parasitoids, though specific host associations remain incompletely documented. The genus is represented in major entomological collections, including the UCR Encyrtidae holdings.
Eridolius
Eridolius is a genus of ichneumon wasps in the family Ichneumonidae, first described by Förster in 1869. The genus is poorly documented in public sources, with limited species-level information available. It has been recorded from parts of northern Europe.
Erimerinae
Erimerinae is a subfamily of chalcid wasps within the family Torymidae, established by Crawford in 1914. Members of this group are parasitoid wasps, a characteristic shared with other Torymidae. The subfamily is poorly documented in published literature, with limited morphological or biological studies available. Erimerinae contains relatively few described species compared to other torymine subfamilies.
Erimerus
Erimerus is a genus of chalcidoid wasps in the family Torymidae, established by Crawford in 1914. It is the type genus of the subfamily Erimerinae, a small and poorly known group within the Torymidae. The genus is characterized by distinctive morphological features that separate it from other torymids, though detailed biological information remains scarce. Erimerus species are believed to be parasitoids, consistent with the biology of related torymids, but specific host associations are largely undocumented.
Erinnyis ello
ello sphinx
Erinnyis ello, the ello sphinx, is a sphingid moth distributed from Argentina through Central America to the United States. The species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758. It is a significant agricultural pest, particularly of cassava, and has been extensively studied for its parasitoid relationships. Two subspecies are recognized: E. e. ello throughout the Americas and E. e. encantada endemic to the Galápagos Islands.
Eruga
Eruga is a genus of ichneumon wasps in the tribe Ephialtini, comprising approximately 15 species distributed across the Afrotropical, Nearctic, and Neotropical regions. Members of this genus are ectoparasitoids of spiders, specifically targeting species in the families Linyphiidae and Tetragnathidae. The genus is notable for behavioral manipulation of host spiders, inducing them to construct modified 'cocoon webs' that support and protect the wasp's pupal cocoon.
Eryciini
Eryciini is a tribe of tachinid flies comprising approximately 128 genera. The tribe serves as a repository for exoristine taxa that cannot be placed into other tribes, resulting in a polyphyletic assemblage. Members are parasitoids of Lepidoptera larvae, with documented associations to caterpillars in families Crambidae, Notodontidae, Noctuidae, Pyralidae, and Tortricidae. A new genus, Santarosamyia, was described in 2024 from Costa Rica based on specimens reared from wild-caught caterpillars.
Esagonatopus
Esagonatopus is a genus of dryinid wasps (Family Dryinidae) established by Olmi in 1984. It belongs to the subfamily Anteoninae, a group of small parasitoid wasps that target Hemiptera, particularly planthoppers and leafhoppers. The genus is characterized by distinctive morphological features in the forewing venation and chela structure. It is among the less commonly encountered dryinid genera, with limited published biological data.
Ethillini
Ethillini is a tribe of tachinid flies within the subfamily Exoristinae. The tribe comprises approximately 13 genera distributed across multiple continents. Members are parasitoid flies, with larvae developing in or on other insects. The tribe was established to accommodate genera with shared morphological characteristics related to adult head structure and male terminalia.
Euantha
Euantha is a genus of bristle flies (family Tachinidae) established by Wulp in 1885. The genus belongs to the subfamily Dexiinae and tribe Cordyligastrini. Three species are currently recognized: Euantha interrupta, E. litturata, and E. pulchra. Like other tachinid flies, members of this genus are parasitoids, though specific host associations for Euantha species remain poorly documented.
Eucelatoria
Eucelatoria is a genus of tachinid flies (Diptera: Tachinidae) comprising approximately 70 species distributed throughout the Western Hemisphere from southern Canada to northern Argentina. The genus is characterized by distinctive reproductive morphology in females of certain species groups, notably the sword-like piercer found in the E. ferox species group. Species within this genus are parasitoids of Lepidoptera larvae, with documented host associations including Noctuidae (Helicoverpa zea, Heliothis virescens, Heliothis armigera) and Crambidae caterpillars. Several species, particularly E. bryani, have been extensively studied for their potential as biological control agents of agricultural pests.
Eucelatoria bryani
Eucelatoria bryani is a gregarious endoparasitoid tachinid fly native to North America. It parasitizes larval stages of noctuid moths, particularly Helicoverpa zea and Heliothis virescens. The species exhibits sophisticated host manipulation, accelerating host burrowing behavior to ensure pupariation in protected soil environments. It has been extensively studied for its potential as a biological control agent against agricultural pests.
Eucerceris canaliculata
Eucerceris canaliculata is a species of solitary wasp in the family Crabronidae (formerly placed in Philanthidae). It belongs to the tribe Cercerini, commonly known as weevil wasps, which specialize in hunting weevils and other beetles to provision their nests. The species is found in North America and is one of multiple Eucerceris species recorded from the region.
Euchaetogyne
Euchaetogyne is a genus of tachinid flies established by Townsend in 1908. The genus contains a single described species, Euchaetogyne roederi, originally described by Williston in 1893. These flies are parasitoids, a characteristic feature of the family Tachinidae. The genus is distributed in North America, with records from the United States and Mexico.
Eucharitidae
eucharitid wasps, ant parasitoid wasps
Eucharitidae is a family of highly specialized parasitoid wasps in the superfamily Chalcidoidea. The family contains approximately 55 genera and over 400 species distributed across four subfamilies: Akapalinae, Eucharitinae, Gollumiellinae, and Oraseminae. Eucharitids are unique among parasitoids in their ability to exploit ants as hosts, overcoming the sophisticated defense systems that typically protect ant colonies. Most species are tropical, though some extend into temperate regions.
Eucharitinae
Eucharitinae is a subfamily of chalcid wasps within Eucharitidae, established by Walker in 1846. Members are parasitoids of ants, with larvae developing inside ant colonies after being transported by worker ants. The subfamily is distinguished by specialized life history adaptations involving ant host exploitation.
Euclemensia bassettella
Kermes Scale Moth
Euclemensia bassettella, commonly known as the Kermes Scale Moth, is a small moth in the family Cosmopterigidae. The species was described by James Brackenridge Clemens in 1864. It has a wingspan of 9–14 mm and is found in eastern North America. The moth is notable for its specialized ecological relationship with scale insects on oak trees, with larvae acting as parasites of kermes scales.
Euclemensia schwarziella
A small moth in the family Cosmopterigidae, described by August Busck in 1900 (published 1901). The species is known from Arizona and Texas. Its larvae are parasitoids of scale insects in the genera Kermes and Allokermes, making it one of relatively few moths with this specialized ecological strategy.
Euclytia flava
Euclytia flava is a tachinid fly parasitoid of stink bugs (Pentatomidae) native to North America. The species has been demonstrated to use host pheromones and allomones as kairomones for host-finding, with distinct kairomone strains that respond to different host species' semiochemicals. It has been tested for classical biological control applications, showing preference for exotic pentatomid species over indigenous hosts in choice tests. The species can be captured in large numbers using pheromone-baited traps targeting its native host Podisus maculiventris.
Eucoilini
Eucoilini is a tribe of small parasitoid wasps within the family Figitidae. Members are known primarily for their association with Drosophila fruit flies as hosts. The tribe contains genera such as Ganaspis and Leptopilina, which have been extensively studied in behavioral ecology and host-parasitoid interactions. These wasps are characterized by reduced wing venation and distinctive larval development inside host puparia.
Euderomphale
Euderomphale is a genus of minute parasitoid wasps in the family Eulophidae, first described by Girault in 1916. Members of this genus belong to the subfamily Entedoninae, a group characterized by their small size and parasitic lifestyle on other insects. The genus is part of the hyperdiverse chalcidoid wasp radiation, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Euderus
Euderus is a genus of chalcid wasps in the family Eulophidae, comprising approximately 77 species with cosmopolitan distribution. The genus is notable for including parasitoid species that manipulate host behavior, most prominently E. set, the "crypt-keeper wasp," which induces gall wasps to create head-plugged exit holes that facilitate parasitoid emergence. In North America alone, the genus contains 25 species arranged in five subgenera. Species exhibit striking metallic coloration ranging from olive green to turquoise to iridescent blue.