Parasitoid

Guides

Merismus megapterus
Merismus megapterus is a species of parasitic wasp in the family Pteromalidae, first described by Francis Walker in 1833. The species belongs to the subfamily Miscogastrinae and tribe Sphegigastrini. It is a member of the chalcidoid wasps, a diverse group of mostly minute parasitoids. The specific epithet "megapterus" (Greek for "large wing") may refer to relatively prominent wing features compared to congeners. Distribution records indicate presence across parts of Europe and East Asia.
parasitoid chalcidoid Pteromalidae Hymenoptera
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.
parasitoid ichneumon-wasp lepidoptera-parasite western-Canada
Mesoleiini
Darwin wasps
Mesoleiini is a tribe of approximately 600 described species within the subfamily Ctenopelmatinae (Ichneumonidae). Members are koinobiont endoparasitoids of larval sawflies (Symphyta), primarily associated with hosts in Tenthredinoidea. The tribe is predominantly distributed in Holarctic regions, with fewer species in Neotropical and Oriental regions.
parasitoid sawfly-parasite high-elevation Holarctic
Mesoleius
Mesoleius is a genus of ichneumonid parasitoid wasps containing at least 160 described species. The genus is best known from detailed studies of Mesoleius tenthredinis, a biological control agent introduced to North America to manage larch sawfly populations. Species in this genus are endoparasitoids of sawfly larvae, with females depositing eggs directly into host cocoons or larvae. The genus has been documented from Europe and North America.
ichneumonid parasitoid biological-control sawfly-parasite endoparasitoid forest-entomology
Mesoleius tenthredinis
larch sawfly parasite
Mesoleius tenthredinis is a parasitoid ichneumonid wasp introduced from Europe to North America as a biological control agent against the larch sawfly (Pristiphora erichsonii). Its embryonic development has been studied in detail, revealing characteristics of primitive endoparasitoids. The species exhibits a notable host-parasite interaction involving encapsulation immunity in some host populations. A putative baculovirus has been detected in ovarian tissues of females.
parasitoid biological-control ichneumonid larch-sawfly endoparasitoid encapsulation host-immunity baculovirus forest-pest-management introduced-species embryology
Mesoleptus ignotus
Mesoleptus ignotus is a species of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae, described by Cresson in 1868. The genus Mesoleptus comprises parasitoid wasps, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented. The species name "ignotus" (Latin for "unknown") reflects its obscure or poorly characterized status. Available records are sparse, with minimal observational data beyond taxonomic cataloging.
parasitoid ichneumonid obscure-species North-American-fauna
Mesopolobus
Mesopolobus is a genus of chalcidoid wasps in the family Pteromalidae, established by Westwood in 1833. The genus contains approximately 135 valid species with cosmopolitan distribution. Most species are parasitoids of pupae, though the genus exhibits diverse life histories. Species have been documented from coniferous foliage, particularly spruce, as well as from gall-forming insects and other hosts.
parasitoid pteromalidae chalcidoidea forest conifer spruce cosmopolitan pupal-parasitoid Westwood-1833
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.
parasitoid ichneumon-wasp biological-control sunflower-pest stored-product-pest Hymenoptera
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.
parasitoid cactus-associated ichneumon-wasp stem-borer-parasitoid
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.
ichneumon-wasp parasitoid biological-control Pyralidae Crambidae Tortricidae extrafloral-nectaries
Messatoporus
Messatoporus is a large New World genus of ichneumonid wasps in the subfamily Cryptinae, comprising 89 valid species. The genus is monophyletic and distinguished by a unique combination of morphological synapomorphies including specialized mandible structure and propodeal features. Species exhibit a morphological gradient from forms resembling other Osprynchotina to a highly derived morphotype with convergent traits similar to Gabuniina, interpreted as adaptations for locating and accessing deeply concealed hosts.
parasitoid ichneumonid New-World Cryptinae spider-wasp-parasitoid trap-nest vibrational-sounding
Messua
Messua is a genus of jumping spiders (Salticidae) established by G. W. Peckham and E. G. Peckham in 1896. Species in this genus have been documented as hosts for parasitoid wasps, specifically the polysphinctine ichneumonid Inbioia pivai. The genus is moderately well-represented in citizen science observations, with over 3,000 records on iNaturalist.
spider jumping-spider Salticidae host parasitoid ichneumonid arthropod arachnid
Metaclisis floridana
Metaclisis floridana is a species of parasitoid wasp in the family Platygastridae. The species was originally described by Ashmead in 1887 and was later redescribed as part of a comprehensive revision of Nearctic Metaclisis species. The male of this species was described for the first time in this revision. The genus Metaclisis belongs to the subfamily Platygastrinae and comprises 18 recognized Nearctic species, 16 of which were newly described in the same revision.
parasitoid wasps platygastridae hymenoptera nearctic inostemmatinae platygastrinae
Metanopedias
Metanopedias is a genus of minute parasitoid wasps in the family Platygastridae, established by Brues in 1910. The genus was redefined in 1998, with Metanopedias brunneipes (Ashmead, 1887) as the type species. The genus is characterized by distinct morphological features separating it from related platygastrid genera. Species in this genus are known to be associated with host insects, though specific host relationships require further documentation.
parasitoid minute-wasps platygastrid taxonomic-revision
Metanotalia
Metanotalia is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Encyrtidae, established by Mercet in 1921. The genus belongs to the subfamily Encyrtinae and is characterized by features of the mesosoma and metanotum. The type species, Metanotalia maderensis (Walker), was originally described from Madeira. Members of this genus are parasitoids, though specific host associations remain poorly documented in published literature.
Encyrtidae parasitoid Hymenoptera Chalcidoidea Mercet-1921 Madeira
Metapelma schwarzi
Metapelma schwarzi is a species of parasitic wasp in the family Eupelmidae, characterized by its relatively large size among chalcidoid wasps at approximately six millimeters in body length. The species is known to parasitize wood-boring beetles, particularly in the families Buprestidae and Cerambycidae. It has been documented from the southwestern United States, including Arizona and Texas.
parasitoid wood-borer-parasite jumping-wasp chalcidoid southwestern-US
Metapelma spectabile
Metapelma spectabile is a relatively large chalcidoid wasp, measuring approximately six millimeters in body length—exceptional for this group of typically minute parasitoids. The species belongs to the family Eupelmidae and is parasitic on wood-boring insects, likely targeting beetle families such as Buprestidae and Cerambycidae. It can be encountered in the field on tree trunks with exposed dead wood, unlike most eupelmids which require rearing from hosts.
parasitoid wood-borer chalcidoid forest Canada field-visible
Metaphycus
Metaphycus is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Encyrtidae, established by Mercet in 1917. The genus has cosmopolitan distribution and comprises numerous species that are important biological control agents, particularly of scale insects (Coccoidea). Species such as Metaphycus helvolus and M. luteolus have been widely used in classical biological control programs against soft scale pests in agriculture.
parasitoid biological-control scale-insect Coccoidea Hymenoptera Encyrtidae agricultural-pest-management
Metaphycus matteolus
Metaphycus matteolus is a species of parasitic wasp in the family Encyrtidae, described by Compere in 1947. The species belongs to a genus of primary parasitoids known for attacking scale insects (Coccoidea). Like other Metaphycus species, M. matteolus is likely associated with soft scale hosts, though specific host records for this species are not well documented in available literature. The genus Metaphycus contains numerous species used in classical biological control programs against scale insect pests.
Encyrtidae parasitoid scale-insect-parasitoid biological-control California-endemic Chalcidoidea
Metazygia
Metazygia is a genus of orb-weaver spiders (Araneidae) containing approximately ninety species. Members construct orb webs and share morphological similarities with the genus Nuctenea. The genus has been documented to harbor parasitoid wasp associations that can suppress web-building behavior.
orb-weaver spider parasitoid web-building
Meteorus
Meteorus is a large genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Braconidae, comprising over 330 described species worldwide. These wasps are distinguished from other braconids by two key morphological features: a second submarginal cell in the forewing and a petiolate (stalked) first tergite. The genus includes species with remarkable behavioral adaptations, such as Meteorus stellatus, which constructs star-shaped communal cocoon masses suspended by threads up to 1 meter long. Meteorus species function as biological control agents, parasitizing diverse host insects including caterpillars of moths and beetles.
parasitoid biocontrol Braconidae Hymenoptera cocoon gregarious
Meteorus rubens
Meteorus rubens is a gregarious larval parasitoid wasp in the family Braconidae that attacks significant agricultural pests, particularly the black cutworm (Agrotis ipsilon). Female wasps demonstrate strong attraction to host kairomones, with 94.3% responding to hexane extracts of their host compared to only 22.3% of males. The species has been shown to carry Rioviridae RNA viruses, a rare trait among parasitoids. It naturally coexists with other parasitoids such as Apanteles ruficrus, with which it exhibits niche partitioning based on host instar preference.
parasitoid biological-control Braconidae Agrotis-ipsilon kairomone gregarious agricultural-pest Hymenoptera
Methocha
Methocha is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Thynnidae (formerly Tiphiidae) that specialize in attacking tiger beetle larvae. Females are wingless and exhibit striking ant-like morphology and behavior, while males are winged. The genus shows pronounced sexual dimorphism and has been documented engaging in remarkable aggressive predatory tactics to access its hosts.
parasitoid ant-mimicry myrmecomorphy tiger-beetle sexual-dimorphism aggressive-hunting ground-foraging
Methocha stygia
ant-like wasp, tiger beetle parasitoid wasp
Methocha stygia is a specialized parasitoid wasp in the family Tiphiidae that exhibits remarkable ant-mimicry (myrmecomorphy) in both morphology and behavior. This species targets tiger beetle larvae (Cicindelidae) as its exclusive host, employing a distinctive hunting strategy where females aggressively engage their prey and deliberately allow themselves to be grasped by the larva's sickle-shaped mandibles to gain entry to the burrow. The wasp's ant-like appearance enables it to approach host burrows without triggering the defensive responses that tiger beetle larvae typically direct against conventional wasp predators.
parasitoid myrmecomorphy tiger-beetle ant-mimicry burrow-predator Thynninae specialized-predator rarely-collected seasonal-activity sandy-habitat
Metopia sinipalpis
Metopia sinipalpis is a species of satellite fly in the family Sarcophagidae, subfamily Miltogramminae. The genus Metopia comprises kleptoparasitic flies whose larvae parasitize the nests of solitary wasps. Like other members of this genus, M. sinipalpis likely targets burrowing wasps, with females following host wasps to their nests to deposit larvae. The species was described by Allen in 1926 and is recorded from Brazil (Santa Catarina) and the United States.
satellite-fly kleptoparasite Miltogramminae sarcophagid parasitoid solitary-wasp-parasite
Metopininae
Metopininae is the largest subfamily of scuttle flies (Phoridae), primarily due to the hyperdiverse genus Megaselia. Members exhibit broad ecological diversity, with larvae ranging from saprophagous decomposers to parasitoids of insects and other arthropods. The subfamily includes economically significant pests and is among the most frequently encountered phorid groups worldwide.
Diptera Phoridae scuttle-flies Megaselia saprophagous parasitoid agricultural-pest ant-parasitoid
Metopius
Metopius is a cosmopolitan genus of parasitoid wasps in the subfamily Metopiinae (Ichneumonidae). Adults are large, conspicuous insects with bold black and yellow longitudinal striping, reaching over 2 cm in length. The genus is divided into subgenera including Metopius s.str. and Peltastes. Species are known to parasitize caterpillars of Lepidoptera, particularly those found in leaf rolls.
parasitoid ichneumonidae metopiinae lepidoptera-parasitoid leaf-roll mimicry
Metopius galbaneus
Metopius galbaneus is a species of ichneumon wasp described by Townes & Townes in 1959. It belongs to the genus Metopius, a group characterized by distinctive facial modifications in males. The species is known from limited observations, with records primarily from North America. Like other members of Ichneumonidae, it is presumed to be a parasitoid, though specific host associations remain undocumented.
ichneumonid parasitoid rarely-observed Townes-1959
Metopius notatus
Metopius notatus is a species of ichneumon wasp described by Townes & Townes in 1959. The genus Metopius belongs to the family Ichneumonidae, a large group of parasitoid wasps. Very few specific biological observations have been published for this species. Available records are limited to taxonomic documentation and sparse occurrence data.
parasitoid ichneumonid understudied
Microchaetina petiolata
Microchaetina petiolata is a species of tachinid fly described by Townsend in 1919. Tachinid flies are parasitoids whose larvae develop inside other insects. The species is known from North America.
parasitoid tachinid North-American Townsend-1919
Microchridium minutum
Microchridium minutum is a species of cuckoo wasp in the family Chrysididae. It is among the smallest members of the family, with the genus name reflecting its diminutive size. Like other chrysidids, it is presumed to be a parasitoid or kleptoparasite, though specific host associations remain undocumented. The species is known from extremely limited material, with only a single observation recorded in iNaturalist.
Chrysididae cuckoo-wasp parasitoid minute rare data-deficient
Microctonus
Microctonus is a genus of braconid parasitoid wasps in the subfamily Euphorinae. Species are endoparasitoids of adult beetles, primarily targeting weevils (Curculionidae) and flea beetles (Chrysomelidae). The genus contains approximately 31 species in North America and additional species globally, including several used as classical biological control agents. Notable biocontrol species include M. aethiopoides and M. hyperodae, introduced to New Zealand to control forage pests, and M. aethiops and M. vittatae, used in North American agricultural systems. Many species exhibit parthenogenetic reproduction, with M. hyperodae showing arrhenotokous parthenogenesis (males produced parthenogenetically).
parasitoid biological-control weevil-parasitoid endoparasitoid parthenogenesis Euphorinae agricultural-pest-management classical-biocontrol
Microctonus pilatus
Microctonus pilatus is a species of parasitoid wasp in the family Braconidae, subfamily Euphorinae. Members of this genus are known as parasitoids of adult beetles, particularly weevils (Curculionidae). The species was described within the genus Microctonus, which has been subject to taxonomic revision and includes species used in biological control programs. Specific details about M. pilatus itself remain limited in published literature.
parasitoid braconidae euphorinae weevil-parasitoid hymenoptera
Microgaster
Microgaster is a genus of braconid wasps in the subfamily Microgastrinae containing more than 100 described species with worldwide distribution. Species within this genus are koinobiont endoparasitoids of Lepidoptera larvae, with some exhibiting highly specialized behaviors. The genus includes the first documented microgastrine to dive underwater to parasitize hosts (Microgaster godzilla) and species with distinctive morphological adaptations such as modified tarsal claws. Host associations vary widely, with records from multiple lepidopteran families including Crambidae, Noctuidae, Depressariidae, and Hesperiidae.
parasitoid biological-control koinobiont endoparasitoid Lepidoptera Microgastrinae aquatic-behavior
Microphthalma
Microphthalma is a genus of tachinid flies in the family Tachinidae, first described by Macquart in 1843. The genus contains approximately 16 described species distributed across multiple continents. As with other tachinids, members of this genus are parasitoid flies whose larvae develop within host insects. The genus name refers to the characteristically reduced eyes found in these flies.
tachinidae diptera parasitoid parasitic-fly insect endoparasitoid
Microterys
Microterys is a large genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Encyrtidae (Chalcidoidea), with its center of distribution in the northern parts of the Northern Hemisphere. Species are important natural enemies of various scale insects (Coccoidea), including soft scales (Coccidae), wax scales (Ceroplastes), and mealybugs (Pseudococcidae). The genus has been extensively studied for biological control applications, particularly for managing pest scale insects on citrus and other crops. Several species have been introduced to new regions as biocontrol agents, including Microterys flavus in California.
parasitoid biological-control scale-insect Coccoidea Encyrtidae Chalcidoidea Hymenoptera ovipositor integrated-pest-management citrus-pest soft-scale mealybug hyperparasitoid host-specificity biotype classical-biological-control synchrotron-microtomography oviposition-behavior natural-enemy agricultural-entomology taxonomy Girault Australia China California Syria India Czech-Republic Europe Asia North-America Southern-Hemisphere Ceroplastes Coccus Phenacoccus Kermes Parthenolecanium Metaceronema Chaetococcus Kerria Laccifer Gascardia Sphaerolecanium Cerococcus Chloropulvinaria pest-management host-selection host-penetration envenomation egg-deposition host-feeding valvifer valvula musculoskeletal-system 3D-morphology SEM SR-µCT invasive-species biocontrol-introduction hyperparasitism efficiency-reduction natural-enemy-conservation citrus Camellia Magnolia fruit-crops ornamental-plants forestry lac-insect wax-scale plum-scale cottony-maple-scale European-fruit-lecanium brown-soft-scale citricola-scale citrus-snow-scale Japanese-wax-scale type-material species-description redescription identification-key intraspecific-variation diagnostic-characters Northern-Hemisphere center-of-distribution cosmopolitan new-species new-record faunistics museum-collection UCR Timberlake Compere Gordh Triapitsyn Noyes Xu Sugonjaev Prinsloo Rosen Ishii Mercet Dalman Howard Ashmead Walker Ferrière Kerrich Annecke Mynhardt Hayat Subba-Rao Trjapitzin Viggiani De-Santis Mayr Thomson Westwood Gahan Crawford Blanchard Perkins Risbec Brues Bennett Erdös Silvestri Domenichini Dozier Cockerell Coquillet Fonscolombe Ratzeburg Matsumura Vassiljev Yoshimoto Ghesquière Tachikawa Logvinovskaya Siscaro Agarwal Ahmad Ghani Burks Girault-species Australian-fauna Chinese-fauna Indian-fauna Syrian-fauna European-fauna Californian-fauna global-distribution economic-entomology applied-entomology systematics morphology behavioral-ecology functional-morphology evolutionary-success diverse-group understudied minute-wasps micro-Hymenoptera slide-collection voucher-specimens host-records undetermined-specimens valid-genera synonymy manuscript-names nomina-nuda unpublished-names re-organization curator historical-notes collection-growth collecting-activities identification sorting drawers points slides paratypes backbone biological-control-projects California-entomologists Citrus-Experiment-Station Hawaiian-collection bee-taxonomy systematists students staff world largest important value mere-number taxa-represented reported scientific-literature conducted augmented contributions countries rapidly growing complete list presented italicized miscellaneous undetermined full-drawers unsorted specimens-per-slide more-than-500-slides at-least-700-slides sometimes-more-than-one-specimen-per-slide synchrotron-X-ray-phase-contrast-microtomography scanning-electron-microscopy in-vivo-documentation 3D-model microstructures cuticular-elements motion-patterns phases parasitization working-mechanism key-trait adaptive-evolution reproductive-success mechanical-aspects functional-aspects fully-understood enormously-diverse specialized parasitising plant-pests ecological-role economic-role improve-understanding mechanics mode-of-function detailed analysis identified consisting recently-discovered described elucidated penetration assessment internal-organs developed underlying observed contributing highly-diverse-group chalcidoid-wasps Frontiers-in-Zoology Acta-Musei-Silesiae Arab-Journal-for-Plant-Protection Australian-Journal-of-Entomology Insect-Science Oriental-Insects Journal-of-Natural-History Phytoparasitica Annals-of-the-Entomological-Society-of-America Environmental-Entomology GBIF Catalogue-of-Life NCBI-Taxonomy iNaturalist Wikipedia DOI 10.1186/s12983-025-00575-1 10.2478/cszma-2021-0007 10.22268/AJPP-41.3.292305 10.1111/j.1440-6055.1975.tb02058.x 10.1111/j.1744-7917.2000.tb00345.x 10.1080/00305316.2011.646827 10.1111/j.1440-6055.1973.tb01670.x 10.1080/00222933.2020.1786608 10.1007/s12600-019-00727-0 10.1007/s12600-018-0691-5 10.1093/aesa/54.2.222 10.1093/ee/7.6.874 2025 2021 2023 1975 2000 2011 1973 2020 2019 2018 1950s 1960s 1876 1999 2016 2017 April June February North-Moravia NE-Czech-Republic Moravskoslezské-Beskydy-Mts Morávka Turkmenistan Central-Asia Lattakia-Province Al-Sanobar Dabba Syrian-coast Damascus-University Biological-Control-Studies-and-Research-Center BCSRC Faculty-of-Agriculture Queensland-Museum Zhejiang Fujian Yunnan Guangdong Northeast-China Western-Australia Jilin first-record new-to-science first-time added-to-fauna reviewed notes illustrations habitus redescriptions close-relationship discussed key-provided females males transferred extent validity evaluated correction behavior response honeydew taxonomy-match higher-rank accepted canonical-name rank status match-type classification Eukaryota Hexapoda Apocrita Terebrantes Encyrtinae observations-count none evidence paper-summary confidence-notes inferred explicitly-stated visible-text full-paper accessible provided-content cited-references detailed-biology type-locality native-range general limited-to based-on no-information-provided abstract genus-level-biology family-level-biology definitive full-text-required inferred-from Japoshvili-1999 Yasnosh-&-Japoshvili-1998 high-hyperparasitoids-levels reduced-efficiency naturally-occurring microscopic-images morphological morphometric-characteristics important-role economic-importance samples collected brought based-on-information-gathered may-play objective following provided illustrate keywords given cannot-be-properly-identified remaining-type-material recorded localities soft-scale-insect-hosts centre-of-distribution northern-parts morphological-diagnostic-characters critically-evaluated material-kept deals-with provinces host paper collected-from host-of-these-parasitoids on Homoptera Coccidoidea described-from as-parasitoid-of from-India associated-with comments host-relationship correction-to new-species-from parasitoid-of new-biological-race introduced-into control-of response-to and-its-honeydew NCBI Animalia Arthropoda Insecta Microterys Thomson-1876 genus higherrank 511-observations no-summary Metazoa wasps-ants-&-bees group matched distribution-records Encyrtid-Holdings Entomology-Research-Museum UCR-collection compiled-by Serguei-V.-Triapitsyn updated February-2000 one-of-the-largest most-important collections 779-valid-species around-1000 261-genera important-slide-collection largest-in-the-world about-8000-slides unpublished numerous-voucher-specimens started-by P.H.-Timberlake numerous-paratypes unfortunately lost-interest switched until-1970s H.-Compere notable-contributions P.-Timberlake J.-Maple P.-DeBach C.-Clausen 1970s-1980s G.-Gordh J.-LaSalle J.-Woolley J.-Pinto J.-Beardsley Mexico US other-countries presently growing-rapidly J.-Heraty majority V.-Trjapitzin J.-Noyes complete-re-organization S.-Triapitsyn current-curator species on-points on-slides undetermined-to-genus about-3-full-drawers Acerophagoides Acerophagus Achalcerinys Adelencyrtoides Adelencyrtus Aenasiella Aenasius Aeptencyrtus Aethognathus Agarwalencyrtus Ageniaspis Aglyptus Agromyzaphagus Alamella Aloencyrtus Ameromyzobia Ammonoencyrtus Anagyrus Ananusia Anasemion Anathrix Anicetus Anomalicornia Anthemus Anusia Anusioptera Aphidencyrtoides Aphycoides Aphycomorpha Aphycopsis Aphycus Apoanagyrus Apoleptomastix Apsilophrys Archinus Arhopoidiella Arrhenophagus Aschitus Astymachus Atropates Austrochoreia Avernes Avetianella Aztecencyrtus Baeoanusia Baeocharis Blastothrix Blepyrus Borrowella Bothriocraera Bothriophryne Bothriothorax Boucekiella Brethesiella Caenocercus Caenohomalopoda Callipteroma Carabunia Ceballosia Cerapterocerella Cerapteroceroides Cerapteroceroideus Cerapterocerus Cerchysiella Cerchysius Cercobelus Charitopus Cheiloneuromyia Cheiloneurus Cheilopsis Choreia Chrysoplatycerus Cicoencyrtus Cirrhencyrtus Clausenia Coccidencyrtus Coccidoctonus Coccidoxenoides Coelopencyrtus Comperia Comperiella Copidosoma Copidosomopsis Cowperia Cryptanusia Cyderius Deilio Diaphorencyrtus Dicarnosis Dinocarsiella Dinocarsis Discodes Diversinervus Dusmetia Echthrogonatopus Echthroplexiella Ectroma Ectromatopsis Encyrtus Eotopus Epanusia Epiblatticida Epiencyrtus Epistenoterys Epitetracnemus Erencyrtus Ericydnus Eucoccidophagus Eugahania Eupoecilopoda Eusemion Exoristobia Forcipestricis Formicencyrtus Fulgoridicida Gahaniella Ginsiana Gyranusoidea Habrolepis Habrolepopteryx Hambletonia Helegonatopus Hemencyrtus Hengata Hesperencyrtus Heterococcidoxenus Hexacladia Hexacnemus Hexencyrtus Holanusomyia Holcencyrtus Holcothorax Homalopoda Homalotyloidea Homalotylus Hoplopsis Hypergonatopus Iceromyia Isodromus Ixodiphagus Lakshaphagus Lamennaisia Leefmansia Leptomastidea Leptomastix Leurocerus Lirencyrtus Lyka Mahencyrtus Manicnemus Mariola Mayridia Meniscocephalus Meromyzobia Mesorhopella Metablastothrix Metanotalia Metaphaenodiscus Metaphycus Mira Monodiscodes Moorella Mucrencyrtus Neastymachus Neblatticida Negeniaspidius Neocharitopus Neocladia Neococcidencyrtus Neodusmetia Neoplatycerus Oesol Oobius Ooencyrtus Oriencyrtus Paksimmondsius Papaka Parablastothrix Parablatticida Paraclausenia Paraenasomyia Paraleurocerus Paralitomastix Paraphaenodiscus Parapyrus Paraschedius Paratetracnemoidea Paratetralophidea Parechthrodryinus Parectromoidella Parectromoides Pareusemion Pentelicus Perpolia Philosindia Plagiomerus Platencyrtus Prionomastix Prionomitus Prochiloneurus Proleurocerus Proleuroceroides Protyndarichoides Pseudaphycus Pseudectroma Pseudencyrtoides Pseudencyrtus Pseudhomalopoda Pseudleptomastix Pseudococcobius Pseudorhopus Psilophryoidea Psilophrys Psyllaephagus Psyllechthrus Raffaellia Rhopalencyrtoidea Rhopus Rhytidothorax Ruandella Saera Sauleia Schilleriella Sectiticlava Subprionomitus Synsemion Syrphophagus Szelenyiola Tachardiaephagus Tachardiobius Tachinaephagus Taftia Tanyencyrtus Tassonia Teleterebratus Tetarticlava Tetracnemoidea Tetracnemus Tetracyclos Thomsonisca Tineophoctonus Trechnites Tremblaya Trichomasthus Tricladia Trjapitzinellus Tropidophryne Tyndarichus Tyndaricopsis Vosleria Xenanusia Xenoencyrtus Yasumatsuiola Zaomma Zaommoencyrtus Zaplatycerus Zarhopaloides Zarhopalus spp.sp.sp(p).?nr.ms-name manuscript-name nomen-nudum including probably-mixed-with unsorted-miscellaneous University-of-California-Riverside collection museum specimens vouchers hosts parasitoids scale-insects mealybugs soft-scales wax-scales citrus-pests agricultural-pests natural-enemies hyperparasitoids efficiency oviposition anatomy 3D-reconstruction microtomography in-vivo-observation evolution adaptive-radiation diversity Africa South-America Middle-East Hawaii horticulture crop-protection augmentative-biological-control conservation-biological-control egg-laying population-dynamics ecosystem-services natural-pest-control sustainable-agriculture organic-farming biodiversity 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Microterys yolandae
Microterys yolandae is a species of parasitoid wasp in the family Encyrtidae, described by Compere in 1926. The species is represented in the UCR Entomology Research Museum collection, which holds one of the largest Encyrtidae collections worldwide. As with other Microterys species, it likely functions as a parasitoid of scale insects (Coccoidea), though specific host records for this species remain unpublished. The species has been documented in California.
parasitoid scale-insect-parasitoid California-endemic
Miltogramminae
Satellite Flies
Miltogramminae is a subfamily of flesh flies (Sarcophagidae) commonly known as satellite flies. They are obligate kleptoparasites that exploit the prey provisions of solitary bees and wasps, depositing their larvae on or near host-captured prey items. The subfamily has a global distribution with notable diversity in the Afrotropical, Palearctic, and Nearctic regions. Their common name derives from the behavior of adult females 'orbiting' host wasps to locate nests.
kleptoparasite parasitoid solitary-Hymenoptera satellite-fly flesh-fly Diptera
Minagenia
Minagenia is a genus of spider wasps in the family Pompilidae, characterized by a koinobiont parasitoid lifestyle. Females paralyze spiders and lay eggs on them, with larvae developing while the host remains alive and continues to grow. This developmental strategy distinguishes Minagenia from many idiobiont pompilids that permanently paralyze hosts. The genus was established by Banks in 1934.
koinobiont spider-wasp parasitoid Pompilidae
Minotetrastichus
Minotetrastichus is a genus of minute parasitoid wasps in the family Eulophidae. Species are ectoparasitoids of leaf-mining insects, primarily targeting larvae and pupae of Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, and Hymenoptera. The genus was established by Kostjukov in 1977. Detailed biological information exists primarily for Minotetrastichus frontalis, which parasitizes the lime leaf miner Phyllonorycter issikii.
parasitoid leaf-miner ectoparasitoid Eulophidae biological-control
Minotetrastichus frontalis
Minotetrastichus frontalis is a chalcid wasp in the family Eulophidae. It is an ectoparasitoid of leaf-mining moths in the genus Phyllonorycter, with larvae feeding on both larval and pupal stages of the host. The species has four larval instars and completes preimaginal development in 11–14 days.
parasitoid leaf-miner Phyllonorycter Tilia biological-control ectoparasitoid Eulophidae Tetrastichinae
Minthoini
Minthoini is a tribe of tachinid flies within the subfamily Tachininae. Members are parasitoid flies that attack various host insects. The tribe contains multiple genera distributed across multiple continents. They are recognized by specific morphological features of the head and thorax.
parasitoid tachinid biological-control
Miota
Miota is a genus of small parasitoid wasps in the family Diapriidae. These insects are part of the diverse Hymenoptera fauna associated with decomposition and nutrient cycling. The genus was described by Förster in 1856. Species in this genus are poorly known, with limited published biological information available.
hymenoptera diapriidae parasitoid minute-wasps palearctic decay-associated
Mochlosoma
Mochlosoma is a genus of tachinid flies established in 1889 with M. validum as the type species. The genus comprises 18 described species, most described by Reinhard in 1958. These flies are commonly encountered in faunistic studies of the southwestern United States and Mexico, though their biology and host relationships remain poorly documented. The genus was originally described from a specimen collected in Pennsylvania.
tachinidae diptera parasitoid north-america poorly-known-biology
Mochlosoma illocale
Mochlosoma illocale is a species of tachinid fly described by Reinhard in 1958. It belongs to the subfamily Dexiinae within the large family Tachinidae, a group of parasitoid flies. The genus Mochlosoma contains relatively few described species, and this taxon is known from limited records in North America. Information regarding its biology and ecology remains sparse.
tachinid parasitoid Dexiinae North-America rarely-recorded data-deficient
Monoctonina
Monoctonina is a subtribe of aphid parasitoid wasps within the subfamily Aphidiinae (Braconidae). Members are small parasitic wasps that develop within aphid hosts, eventually killing them. The subtribe includes genera such as Monoctonus and Falciconus, with species documented from high-elevation mountain habitats in Europe and Asia.
parasitoid aphid mountain high-elevation biological-control Hymenoptera Braconidae Aphidiinae
Monoctonus
Monoctonus is a genus of solitary parasitoid wasps in the subfamily Aphidiinae (Braconidae). Species in this genus are specialized parasitoids of aphids, with females laying eggs in the thoracic nerve ganglia of host aphids. Multiple species have been documented, including M. paulensis, M. nervosus, M. paludum, and M. leclanti, with distributions spanning the Palearctic, Nearctic, and Oriental regions.
parasitoid aphid-parasitoid biological-control Braconidae Aphidiinae solitary-parasitoid host-selection clutch-size sex-ratio transpalearctic
Monodontomerinae
Monodontomerinae is a subfamily of chalcidoid wasps within the family Torymidae, established by Ashmead in 1899. Members are small parasitoid wasps that attack the larvae of other insects, particularly those developing in plant galls. The subfamily is characterized by distinctive morphological features of the antennae and ovipositor structure. Taxonomic status has been debated, with some classifications treating it as a synonym of Toryminae.
parasitoid chalcidoid gall-associated Torymidae Hymenoptera subfamily Ashmead-1899 taxonomic-synonym
Monodontomerus
Monodontomerus is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Torymidae, distributed globally with greatest diversity in the Holarctic Region. Species in this genus are parasitoids of various insect orders, with documented associations including pollinators such as megachilid bees and other hymenopterans. Some species have economic importance as biological control agents or pests of beneficial insects. The genus includes at least 25 described species in the New World, with ongoing taxonomic revisions revealing additional diversity.
parasitoid Hymenoptera Torymidae pollinator-parasitoid invasive-species biological-control founder-effect
Monolexis fuscicornis
Monolexis fuscicornis is a parasitoid wasp in the family Braconidae, subfamily Doryctinae. It has been documented as a larva-pupa parasitoid of the wood-boring beetle Trogoxylon impressum, a pest of fig plants in Turkey. The species represents a potentially significant biological control agent for managing bostrichid beetle infestations in agricultural settings.
parasitoid biological-control agricultural-pest fig Braconidae Doryctinae Trogoxylon-impressum Turkey Hymenoptera Bostrichidae wood-boring-beetle larva-pupa-parasitoid integrated-pest-management invasive-species non-native-species agricultural-entomology pest-management biodiversity-conservation