Parasitoid
Guides
Heteroecus lyoni
Lyon's Gall Wasp
Heteroecus lyoni is a gall wasp in the family Cynipidae. Species in this genus are known to induce galls on oaks (Quercus), though specific details for H. lyoni are limited in available literature. The species was named in honor of someone with the surname Lyon, a common practice in taxonomic nomenclature. Like other cynipids, it likely exhibits a complex life cycle with alternating generations between sexual and parthenogenetic forms, though this has not been explicitly documented for this species.
Heteropelma datanae
Heteropelma datanae is a species of ichneumon wasp described by Riley in 1888. The species epithet 'datanae' indicates an association with moths of the genus Datana (Notodontidae), reflecting its parasitoid lifestyle. As a member of the large family Ichneumonidae, it is one of many wasps specialized in parasitizing Lepidopteran hosts. The genus Heteropelma is characterized by distinctive morphological features including a compressed metasoma.
Heterostylum
bee-flies
Heterostylum is a genus of bee-flies (Bombyliidae) comprising 14 described species distributed throughout the Americas. These robust, densely hairy flies measure 10–15 mm in body length. The genus is distinguished by diagnostic morphological features including an indentation in the hind margin of the eye and distinctive wing venation patterns. Larvae are parasitoids that develop within the nests of mining bees.
Heterostylum robustum
bomber fly
Heterostylum robustum is a parasitic bee fly (Diptera: Bombyliidae) commonly known as the bomber fly. It is a significant parasitoid of ground-nesting bees, particularly the alkali bee Nomia melanderi, an important pollinator of alfalfa in western North America. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism and has a complex life cycle involving active larval host-seeking behavior and overwintering underground. Its parasitic strategy involves launching eggs into host nests rather than direct contact with hosts.
Hexacladia
Hexacladia is a genus of gregarious endoparasitoid wasps in the family Encyrtidae, subfamily Encyrtinae. Species develop as endoparasitoids within adult heteropteran bugs, primarily in the family Pentatomidae (stink bugs), with some records from Coreidae and Scutelleridae. Multiple parasitoid individuals typically emerge from a single host. The genus has been documented as a biological control agent of agricultural pest stink bugs in South America, including species that attack soybean and rice crops. Seven species are recorded from South America, with H. smithii being the most widely reported.
Hexacladia hilaris
Hexacladia hilaris is a parasitoid wasp in the family Encyrtidae. It was described by Burks in 1972 and has been recorded in Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, the United States, and Brazil. The species is associated with stink bugs (Pentatomidae) and has been documented parasitizing Chinavia erythrocnemis in Brazil.
Hexacola
Hexacola is a genus of small parasitoid wasps in the family Figitidae, subfamily Eucoilinae. These wasps are known primarily as parasitoids of dipteran hosts, particularly shore flies (Ephydridae) and eye gnats (Chloropidae). The genus includes species with both sexual and parthenogenetic reproduction, and some have been studied for potential biological control applications.
Hexacola neoscatellae
Hexacola neoscatellae is a parasitoid wasp in the family Figitidae (subfamily Eucoilinae) known to attack shore flies. The species has been recorded as a parasitoid of Scatella stagnalis, a shore fly species associated with aquatic or semi-aquatic environments. Its first Canadian record was documented in the Great Lakes region, where it was identified as a potential biological control agent for managing shore fly populations in greenhouse and nursery settings.
Himerta rubiginosa
Himerta rubiginosa is a species of ichneumonid wasp described by Cresson in 1879. It belongs to the family Ichneumonidae, a large group of parasitoid wasps. Available records indicate it has been documented in parts of Canada, specifically in Calgary and Edmonton. The genus Himerta is part of the diverse ichneumonid fauna, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented in published sources.
Hockeria eriensis
Hockeria eriensis is a species of chalcid wasp in the family Chalcididae, first described by Wallace in 1942. It belongs to the subfamily Haltichellinae, a group characterized by reduced wing venation and often metallic coloration. The species is known from the Canadian prairies, with records from Alberta and Saskatchewan. As with other chalcidids, it is presumed to be a parasitoid, though specific host associations remain undocumented.
Hockeria micra
Hockeria micra is a species of parasitic wasp in the family Chalcididae, described by Halstead in 1990. It belongs to the subfamily Haltichellinae, a group of chalcidid wasps characterized by their enlarged hind femora adapted for jumping. The species is known from scattered records across the United States, with documented occurrences in California, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, and Missouri. Like other chalcidids, H. micra is presumed to be a parasitoid, though specific host associations remain unreported in available literature.
Hockeria rubra
Hockeria rubra is a species of chalcid wasp in the family Chalcididae, subfamily Haltichellinae. Described by Ashmead in 1894, this species belongs to a genus of parasitoid wasps. The specific epithet "rubra" (Latin for red) suggests reddish coloration, though detailed morphological descriptions are limited in available sources. Records indicate occurrence in Texas and Mexico.
Hockeria tenuicornis
Hockeria tenuicornis is a species of chalcid wasp in the family Chalcididae, described by Girault in 1918. It belongs to the subfamily Haltichellinae and tribe Haltichellini. The genus Hockeria is part of a diverse family of parasitoid wasps whose members are typically associated with other insects as hosts. The specific epithet "tenuicornis" refers to slender or thin antennae.
Hockeria unipunctatipennis
Hockeria unipunctatipennis is a species of parasitoid wasp in the family Chalcididae, described by Girault in 1918. It belongs to the subfamily Haltichellinae and is part of a genus known for attacking lepidopteran hosts. The species has been recorded in eastern Canada, specifically Ontario and Quebec.
Holcencyrtus
Holcencyrtus is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Encyrtidae, subfamily Tetracneminae, established by Ashmead in 1900. The genus is represented in the UCR Entomology Research Museum by at least three species: H. gonzalezi Trjapitzin, H. myrmicoides (Compere & Zinna), and H. osborni (Timberlake). Specimens have been collected from Mexico and preserved both as pinned specimens and microscope slides. The genus belongs to a large and taxonomically important group of microhymenoptera that are significant biological control agents.
Holocynips badia
Holocynips badia is a species of gall wasp in the family Cynipidae, originally described by Bassett in 1900. It belongs to a genus of cynipid wasps that induce galls on oak plants. Like other members of Cynipidae, it is likely associated with oak hosts (Quercus spp.), though specific host records for this species are not well documented in available sources. The species is known from limited observations, with 15 records on iNaturalist suggesting it is rarely encountered or underreported.
Holopyga ventralis
Holopyga ventralis is a species of cuckoo wasp in the family Chrysididae. The genus Holopyga comprises small, brilliantly metallic-colored wasps that are cleptoparasites of other wasps. Based on observations of related species in the genus, H. ventralis likely exhibits the distinctive parasitic behavior of laying eggs into aphids, which are then carried as prey by crabronid wasps into their nests where the Holopyga larva develops at the expense of the host wasp's offspring.
Homalactia
Homalactia is a genus of tachinid flies (family Tachinidae) described by Townsend in 1915. The genus contains at least one described species, H. harringtoni, originally described by Coquillett in 1902. Tachinid flies in this group are parasitoids, though specific host relationships for Homalactia remain poorly documented. The genus occurs in northern North America.
Homalactia harringtoni
A tachinid fly species in the family Tachinidae, originally described by Coquillett in 1902. The species has been reclassified from the genus Lypha to Homalactia based on taxonomic revisions. Tachinidae are a large family of parasitoid flies whose larvae develop inside other insects.
Homolobinae
Homolobinae is a subfamily of braconid parasitoid wasps containing three genera: Exasticolus, Homolobus, and Westwoodiella. Members are relatively large braconids, often nocturnal, and function as koinobiont endoparasitoids of caterpillars. The subfamily was previously expanded to include Charmontinae as a tribe. They can be distinguished from similar Macrocentrinae by the presence of an occipital carina.
Homolobus
Homolobus is a genus of braconid wasps in the subfamily Homolobinae, tribe Homolobini. These moderate to large parasitoid wasps (4.4–14.6 mm body length) are characterized by distinctive wing venation and occipital carina. The genus contains approximately 55 species distributed across five subgenera and has a cosmopolitan distribution. They are endoparasitoids of caterpillars, particularly those in the families Noctuidae and Geometridae.
Homolobus infumator
Homolobus infumator is a species of parasitoid wasp in the family Braconidae, subfamily Homolobinae. It was first described from Britain in 1914 and has since been recorded across northern Europe and Iran. Specimens in Iran were collected using Malaise traps during spring through autumn, indicating an extended seasonal activity period. The species belongs to a genus characterized by distinctive morphological features including a truncate face and reduced wing venation.
Homotropus
Homotropus is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Ichneumonidae, subfamily Diplazontinae. The genus is distributed across the Palearctic region, with confirmed records from Japan, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Twelve species are recognized in the Japanese fauna, including the recently described H. japonicum. The genus has undergone taxonomic revision, with several species transferred from the related genus Syrphoctonus and multiple synonymies established.
Hoplismenus morulus morulus
Hoplismenus morulus morulus is a subspecies of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae. This parasitoid wasp is recorded from multiple localities across the Canadian Prairie provinces. As a member of the genus Hoplismenus, it likely functions as a parasitoid of other insects, though specific host records for this subspecies are not well documented. The subspecific status indicates morphological or geographic differentiation from the nominate form.
Hoplitalysia
Hoplitalysia is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Braconidae, first described by Ashmead in 1900. Members of this genus are part of the diverse ichneumonoid wasp fauna, which are predominantly parasitoids of other insects. The genus is represented by very few observations in biodiversity databases, suggesting it is either rare, understudied, or restricted in distribution. As with other braconid wasps, species in this genus likely play roles in regulating insect populations through parasitism.
Hoplocryptus notatus notatus
Hoplocryptus notatus notatus is a subspecies of ichneumonid wasp in the family Ichneumonidae. This parasitoid wasp belongs to a genus within one of the largest families of Hymenoptera. The subspecies has been documented in western Canada, with records from Edmonton and Lethbridge. As with many ichneumonid wasps, its biology likely involves parasitism of other insects, though specific host relationships for this subspecies remain poorly documented.
Hoplodictya spinicornis
marsh fly
Hoplodictya spinicornis is a small marsh fly in the family Sciomyzidae, measuring 3–4 mm in length. The species is notable for its parasitic larval stage, which targets land snails. It has a broad distribution across the southern United States, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, with northern extensions into Canada and the northeastern United States. The complete life cycle averages approximately 45 days.
Horismenus
Horismenus is a large genus of eulophid wasps (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) comprising over 400 described species, primarily distributed in the Americas. Species are predominantly parasitoids, with documented associations including bruchid beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae) in bean seeds, cerambycid beetles, mantid oothecae, and other insects. Several species exhibit hyperparasitoid behavior. The genus has been the subject of recent taxonomic revision due to cryptic species diversity revealed through molecular analysis.
Horismenus fraternus
Horismenus fraternus is a species of chalcid wasp in the family Eulophidae, first described by Fitch in 1856. The genus Horismenus comprises small parasitoid wasps that develop within the bodies of other insects. Records indicate this species occurs in eastern Canada, specifically Ontario and Quebec. Like other eulophids, it likely functions as a parasitoid of insect hosts, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Hormiinae
Hormiinae is a subfamily of Braconidae (Hymenoptera) comprising approximately 8 species in 4 genera and 2 tribes in Iran, with a cosmopolitan genus Hormius. Members include brachypterous and micropterous species with reduced wings. Some species are parasitoids of lepidopteran pupae.
Hubneria estigmenensis
Hubneria estigmenensis is a species of bristle fly in the family Tachinidae. It is recorded from the United States and Canada, with specific occurrence data from Vermont. The species was described by Sellers in 1943.
Hybrizon
Hybrizon is a genus of small parasitoid wasps in the family Ichneumonidae, subfamily Hybrizontinae. Members are specialized ant parasitoids that attack ant larvae transported by worker ants. The genus was historically classified variably, previously placed in Braconidae or treated as a separate family, and the subfamily was formerly known as Paxylommatinae. Oviposition behavior involves females grasping ant larvae with their fore legs while exserting the ovipositor.
Hybrizon flavocinctus
Hybrizon flavocinctus is a species of parasitoid wasp in the family Ichneumonidae, subfamily Hybrizontinae. Members of this subfamily are specialized ant parasitoids, representing the third most diverse group of ant parasitoid wasps after Eucharitidae and Neoneurini. The species was described by Ashmead in 1894. As with other Hybrizontinae, it is presumed to parasitize ants, though specific host records and behavioral observations for H. flavocinctus remain undocumented in the available literature.
Hybrizon rileyi
Hybrizon rileyi is a species of parasitoid wasp in the family Ichneumonidae, subfamily Hybrizontinae. All members of this subfamily are specialized ant parasitoids, representing the third most diverse group of ant parasitoid wasps after Eucharitidae and Neoneurini. The species was described by Ashmead in 1889. Like other Hybrizontinae, it likely parasitizes ant larvae, though specific host records for this species remain poorly documented.
Hydrachnoidea
water mites
Hydrachnoidea is a superfamily of aquatic mites commonly known as water mites. Members are exclusively freshwater dwellers, representing one of the most diverse radiations of arachnids into aquatic environments. The group includes several families with distinct morphological adaptations for underwater life.
Hylaeus euxanthus
Yellow-collared Masked Bee
A small, nearly hairless bee in the family Colletidae, native to Australia and introduced to Argentina. First described by Cockerell in 1910, it was originally named Prosopis xanthopoda but renamed due to preoccupation. It belongs to the subgenus Gnathoprosopis and exhibits typical masked bee characteristics including reduced pilosity and internal pollen transport.
Hymenochaonia nupera
Hymenochaonia nupera is a species of parasitoid wasp in the family Braconidae, first described by Cresson in 1872. It belongs to the genus Hymenochaonia within the superfamily Ichneumonoidea. The species is known from very few observations, with only two records documented on iNaturalist. As a member of Braconidae, it is presumed to be a parasitoid of other insects, though specific host associations remain undocumented.
Hymenoptera
Ants, Bees, Wasps, and Sawflies
Hymenoptera is one of the largest and most diverse orders of insects, comprising sawflies, wasps, bees, and ants. Over 150,000 living species have been described, with more than 2,000 extinct species known from fossils. The order is characterized by haplodiploid sex determination, where females develop from fertilized diploid eggs and males from unfertilized haploid eggs. Hymenopterans exhibit a wide range of lifestyles from solitary to highly eusocial, and include major pollinators, predators, and parasitoids. Molecular analysis places Hymenoptera as the earliest branching group of Holometabola, with origins in the Triassic period.
Hyphantrophaga
Hyphantrophaga is a genus of tachinid flies in the tribe Goniini, subfamily Exoristinae, containing 46 valid species. The genus is notable for a major taxonomic revision in 2019 that described 22 new species from Costa Rica and synonymized five previously recognized genera. Species in this genus are parasitoids of caterpillars across a broad range of lepidopteran families.
Hyphantrophaga virilis
Hyphantrophaga virilis is a tachinid fly (family Tachinidae) known to parasitize caterpillars of the California Oak Moth (Phryganidia californica). The species was described in 1924 and occurs in North America. Like other tachinid flies, it develops as an internal parasitoid, eventually killing its host. Records indicate it is one of several parasitoids associated with oak moth population dynamics along the California coast and in Oregon.
Hypomicrogaster
Hypomicrogaster is a genus of braconid wasps in the subfamily Microgastrinae, containing over 40 described species. The genus was taxonomically revised in 2015, with 40 new species described and four previously named species redescribed. Species in this genus are parasitoids of Lepidoptera, with documented associations to 11 lepidopteran families and 52 confirmed host species feeding on 34 plant families. The genus is distributed across North, Central, and South America.
Hypomicrogaster zonaria
A species of braconid wasp in the subfamily Microgastrinae, redescribed and redelimited in a 2015 taxonomic review of the genus Hypomicrogaster. Originally described by Say in 1836, it is one of the four previously named species in the genus. Like other members of Hypomicrogaster, it is a parasitoid wasp, though specific host records for this species remain unconfirmed in available literature.
Hyposoter
Hyposoter is a large cosmopolitan genus of ichneumonid wasps in the subfamily Campopleginae. Species are koinobiont endoparasitoids that attack various holometabolan insects, primarily Lepidoptera. The genus exhibits substantial species diversity with over 70 species recognized in the Western Palaearctic region alone. Swiss studies indicate higher species richness at low altitudes, with only three species considered high-altitude specialists.
Hyposoter fugitivus
Hyposoter fugitivus is an ichneumonid parasitoid wasp first described by Thomas Say in 1835. Molecular studies have established that this species carries polydnavirus DNA integrated into its chromosomes, representing a stable symbiotic relationship. The polydnavirus is transmitted vertically and likely plays a role in manipulating host physiology during parasitism, though specific host associations remain undocumented in available sources.
Hypovoria
Hypovoria is a genus of tachinid flies in the tribe Voriini, subfamily Dexiinae. The genus was established by Villeneuve in 1912 and currently includes five described species. It is distributed across northern Europe, with records from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. As with other tachinid flies, members of this genus are parasitoids, though specific host associations remain poorly documented.
Hypovoria cauta
Hypovoria cauta is a tachinid fly described by Townsend in 1926. As a member of the family Tachinidae, it belongs to a large group of parasitoid flies whose larvae develop within or upon other insects. The species has been documented across North America from Canada through the United States to Mexico.
Hypovoria discalis
Hypovoria discalis is a species of tachinid fly described by Brooks in 1945. Originally described under the genus Catalinovoria, it was later transferred to Hypovoria. As a member of the family Tachinidae, it is a parasitoid fly, though specific host associations and biological details remain poorly documented. The species is known to occur across North America from Canada through the United States to Mexico.
Hypsicera
Hypsicera is a genus of ichneumonid wasps established by Latreille in 1829. The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution and comprises approximately 14 described species. As parasitoid wasps, members of this genus likely attack the larval or pupal stages of other insects, though specific host relationships remain poorly documented for most species.
Hyptia femorata
Hyptia femorata is a species of ensign wasp in the family Evaniidae, described by Townes in 1949. Members of this family are parasitoids of cockroach eggs, with females laying eggs into cockroach oothecae. The species is known from North America. Like other evaniids, it is characterized by a distinctive laterally compressed abdomen that is carried elevated like a flag, giving the group their common name. Specific biological details for H. femorata remain poorly documented in published literature.
Hyptia floridana
Hyptia floridana is a species of ensign wasp in the family Evaniidae, first described by Ashmead in 1901. The species is found in Central America and North America. Ensign wasps are solitary parasitoids known for their distinctive laterally compressed abdomens that are often carried in a raised, flag-like position.