Parasitoid
Guides
Neotypus nobilitator
Neotypus nobilitator is a species of ichneumonid wasp in the family Ichneumonidae. It belongs to a genus of parasitoid wasps whose members are primarily associated with spider hosts. The species has been recorded across northern Europe and North America. Like other ichneumonids, it likely develops as a koinobiont endoparasitoid, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Neoxorides
Neoxorides is a genus of ichneumonid wasps in the subfamily Poemeniinae. The genus was established by Clément in 1938 and has undergone taxonomic revision, with some species formerly placed here now reassigned to other genera such as Podoschistus. Members are ectoparasitoids of wood-boring beetle larvae. The genus has a Holarctic distribution, with records from Europe and North America.
Neoxorides pilusus
Neoxorides pilusus is a species of ichneumon wasp in the subfamily Poemeniinae. Species in this genus were historically classified under Xorides and Neoxorides before taxonomic revision. Members of Poemeniinae are ectoparasitoids of wood-boring beetle larvae. The genus Neoxorides contains species that target beetle hosts in forested habitats.
Nephrocerinae
Nephrocerinae is a subfamily of big-headed flies within the family Pipunculidae. The group contains at least two described genera: the extant Nephrocerus (tribe Nephrocerini) and the fossil genus †Priabona from the Eocene Florissant Formation. Members of this subfamily are parasitoids, though specific host associations remain poorly documented compared to other pipunculid lineages.
Nephrocerus acanthostylus
Nephrocerus acanthostylus is a species of big-headed fly (Diptera: Pipunculidae) described by Skevington in 2005 as part of a revision of Nearctic Nephrocerus. The species was one of four new species described from the Nearctic region, with diagnostic characters including distinctive male and female genitalia. As with other members of the genus, it is presumed to be a parasitoid of other insects, though specific host records for this species have not been published.
Nephrocerus atrapilus
Nephrocerus atrapilus is a species of big-headed fly (Diptera: Pipunculidae) described from the Nearctic Region in 2005. The species was distinguished from congeners based on diagnostic male and female genitalia characters. It belongs to a genus of parasitoid flies that attack crane flies (Tipulidae). The description of N. atrapilus contributed to the first formal documentation of Nephrocerus in the Neotropical Region.
Netelia
Orange Ichneumon Wasp, Netelia Wasp
Netelia is a large genus of ichneumonid wasps in the subfamily Tryphoninae, comprising over 330 described species grouped into 12 subgenera. These medium to large wasps are typically orange to brownish-yellow in coloration with conspicuously long antennae and legs. Females possess a prominent ovipositor used to parasitize caterpillar hosts. Unlike many ichneumonids, Netelia females can deliver a painful sting when handled carelessly, using it to temporarily paralyze hosts before egg deposition. The genus is cosmopolitan in distribution and frequently attracted to artificial lights at night.
Netelia johnsoni
Netelia johnsoni is a species of ichneumon wasp in the subfamily Tryphoninae, described by Ashmead in 1900. It is a nocturnal parasitoid wasp with a painful defensive sting that has been documented from Edmonton, Canada, though the genus Netelia is more broadly distributed across North America north of Mexico with 73 species in six subgenera. Females use their sting primarily to temporarily paralyze caterpillar hosts for oviposition, but will sting humans if handled carelessly or trapped against skin.
Netelia leo
Netelia leo is a species of ichneumon wasp in the subfamily Tryphoninae, first described by Cushman in 1924. Like other members of the genus Netelia, females possess a functional sting and are capable of delivering painful stings when handled or trapped against skin. The species is nocturnal and frequently attracted to artificial lights. Females are koinobiont ectoparasitoids of caterpillars, temporarily paralyzing hosts with their sting before laying stalked eggs on the exterior of the larva.
Neuroptera
net-winged insects, lacewings, antlions, mantidflies, owlflies
Neuroptera is an order of holometabolous insects comprising approximately 6,000 species, commonly known as net-winged insects or lacewings and their allies. The group includes lacewings (Chrysopidae, Hemerobiidae), antlions (Myrmeleontidae), mantidflies (Mantispidae), owlflies (Ascalaphidae), and several other families. Adults possess four membranous wings of similar size with dense, net-like venation that gives the order its name. The group first appeared in the Permian period and diversified through the Mesozoic, with some extinct lineages evolving remarkably large, patterned wings. Neuroptera is grouped with Megaloptera and Raphidioptera in the clade Neuropterida.
Neuroterus minutus
Neuroterus minutus is a species of gall wasp in the family Cynipidae. Members of this genus are known to induce galls on oak trees (Quercus species). The species has been documented through citizen science observations, with records available on platforms such as iNaturalist. As with many cynipid wasps, detailed biological studies of this particular species appear limited in the available literature.
Nicrophorus pustulatus
Pustulated Carrion Beetle, Blistered Burying Beetle
Nicrophorus pustulatus is a North American burying beetle distinguished by its unique ecology among congeners. Unlike typical carrion beetles that bury small vertebrate carcasses underground, this species is a canopy specialist that has undergone a remarkable host shift to exploit snake eggs as a primary breeding resource. It is the only described Nicrophorus species demonstrated to function as a true parasitoid of vertebrates, attacking live reptile eggs. Adults are medium-sized (14.0–22.2 mm), predominantly black with distinctive orange elytral spots, and lack the long dorsal setae characteristic of related species. The species exhibits flexible social mating systems and facultative parental care.
Nimioglossa
Nimioglossa is a genus of tachinid flies in the family Tachinidae, established by Reinhard in 1945. The genus contains two described species: Nimioglossa planicosta and Nimioglossa ravida, both also described by Reinhard in the same year. As members of Tachinidae, these flies are likely parasitoids, though specific host relationships remain undocumented. The genus is poorly known, with minimal published biological information and few observations.
Nimioglossa ravida
Nimioglossa ravida is a species of tachinid fly described by Reinhard in 1945. As a member of the family Tachinidae, it belongs to a large group of parasitoid flies. The species has been recorded from Mexico and the United States. Very little specific information about its biology has been documented.
Norbanus
Norbanus is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Pteromalidae, subfamily Pteromalinae. The genus was established by Walker in 1843 and contains species distributed across the Afrotropical region, Mediterranean, and other areas. A 2015 revision recognized four previously described Afrotropical species and described 21 new species from the region. The subgenus Picroscytoides was synonymized with Norbanus. Several species have been recorded as parasitoids of economically important crop pests.
Notanisomorphella
Notanisomorphella is a genus of chalcid wasps in the family Eulophidae, established by Girault in 1913. Members are parasitoids with documented hosts including case-bearer moths (Coleophoridae), leaf-mining beetles, and spider eggs. The genus is poorly known, with only two observations recorded on iNaturalist.
Notanisus
Notanisus is a genus of chalcidoid wasps in the family Cleonymidae, first described by Walker in 1837. These small parasitic wasps are part of a family historically treated as a subfamily within Pteromalidae but now recognized as distinct. The genus has been recorded from multiple continents including North America and Asia. Species in this genus are presumed to be parasitoids, though specific host relationships remain poorly documented.
Notocyphinae
Notocyphinae is a monotypic subfamily of spider wasps containing the single genus Notocyphus. These wasps are distributed across the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. The subfamily is notable for parasitism on tarantulas, including documented cases involving the aviculariine tarantula Avicularia purpurea in the Ecuadorian Amazon.
Notocyphus
Notocyphus is a genus of spider wasps and the sole genus in the monotypic subfamily Notocyphinae. These wasps are known to parasitize tarantulas, including arboreal species in the subfamily Aviculariinae and terrestrial species in Theraphosinae. The genus occurs in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions, with documented host associations in the Amazon region of Ecuador and Brazil.
Nysson
Nysson is a Holarctic genus of kleptoparasitic wasps in the family Crabronidae. Over 100 species are known. These wasps are obligate kleptoparasites, meaning females exploit the food caches of other solitary wasps by locating host burrows, digging them open, destroying the host egg, and replacing it with their own. The larva then consumes the prey provisioned by the host mother.
Nysson freyigessneri
Nysson freyigessneri is a species of wasp in the family Crabronidae, originally described by Handlirsch in 1887. The species is currently considered a synonym of Nysson aurinotus. Like other members of the genus Nysson, it belongs to a group of kleptoparasitic wasps that exploit the nests of other solitary wasps. The genus Nysson is distributed across North America, with species acting as parasites primarily targeting sand wasps and other burrowing wasps.
Nysson plagiatus
Nysson plagiatus is a species of solitary wasp in the family Crabronidae, subfamily Bembicinae. It is a kleptoparasite that exploits the food caches of other solitary wasps, particularly species in the genus Hoplisoides that hunt treehoppers. The species was described by Cresson in 1882 and occurs in North America. Like other members of the genus Nysson, females locate host burrows, open them, destroy the host egg, and replace it with their own egg, allowing their larvae to consume the prey provisioned by the host wasp.
Nysson recticornis
Nysson recticornis is a species of solitary wasp in the family Crabronidae (formerly placed in Bembicidae). It is native to North America, with records from Canada including Alberta. The genus Nysson comprises kleptoparasitic wasps that exploit the nests of other solitary wasps, particularly those in the family Crabronidae. Like other members of its genus, N. recticornis likely targets the prey stores of host wasps for its own reproductive success.
Nysson rusticus
Nysson rusticus is a species of solitary wasp in the family Crabronidae (formerly placed in Bembicidae). The species occurs in North America and has two recognized subspecies: N. r. rusticus and N. r. sphecodoides. Like other members of the genus Nysson, this species is a nest parasite of ground-nesting crabronid wasps.
Obeza
Obeza is a genus of chalcid wasps in the family Eucharitidae containing eight described species. Members of this genus are parasitoids of ants, with Obeza floridana specifically documented as parasitizing Camponotus abdominalis floridanus in Florida. The genus was established by Heraty in 1985.
Obeza floridana
Obeza floridana is a parasitoid wasp in the family Eucharitidae. It is known specifically from Florida, where it parasitizes the ant Camponotus abdominalis floridanus. The species was first described by Ashmead in 1888 and was originally placed in the genus Lophyrocera. Eucharitid wasps are specialized ant parasitoids that typically attack mature ant larvae or pupae within host colonies.
Obeza septentrionalis
Obeza septentrionalis is a species of parasitoid wasp in the family Eucharitidae, first described by Brues in 1907. Members of this genus are known as ant parasites, with females laying eggs in vegetation and larvae attaching to passing ants to be carried into nests where they complete development. The specific epithet "septentrionalis" (northern) suggests a geographic association, though detailed distribution records are limited. Like other Eucharitidae, this species likely exhibits highly specialized host relationships with particular ant species.
Ocnaea boharti
Ocnaea boharti is a species of small-headed fly in the family Acroceridae, described by Schlinger in 1983. The species epithet honors Richard M. Bohart (1913–2007), a prominent UC Davis entomologist who researched Strepsiptera and for whom the Bohart Museum of Entomology is named. Members of the genus Ocnaea are known as endoparasitoids of spiders, with larvae entering host bodies and consuming them from within. This species belongs to the subfamily Panopinae, one of several lineages within this morphologically unusual family of Diptera.
Ocnaea sequoia
Ocnaea sequoia is a species of small-headed fly in the family Acroceridae, described by Sabrosky in 1948. Small-headed flies are a distinctive group of Diptera characterized by their unusual head morphology and parasitic life history. The specific epithet 'sequoia' suggests a possible association with giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) forests, though this relationship has not been explicitly documented in available sources.
Odontacolus
Odontacolus is a genus of tiny parasitoid wasps in the family Platygastridae, characterized by a distinctive laterally compressed metasomal horn in females. The genus was redefined in 2013 to include Cyphacolus as a junior synonym, expanding the group to encompass species from Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Pacific. All known species are parasitoids of spider eggs, using a specialized ovipositor system to inject eggs into host egg sacs. Species range from 1 to 2.5 mm in length.
Odontobracon
Odontobracon is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Braconidae, established by Cameron in 1887. Members of this genus are part of the diverse ichneumonoid wasp fauna, characterized by their role as parasitoids of other insects. The genus is represented by very few observations in biodiversity databases, suggesting it is either rare, poorly sampled, or taxonomically cryptic. Braconid wasps in this group generally possess the family-typical features of reduced wing venation and larval development inside or on host insects.
Odontocolon
Odontocolon is a genus of ichneumon wasps in the subfamily Xoridinae, containing at least 40 described species. These wasps are parasitoids that target wood-boring beetle larvae and sawfly larvae living in tree bark. Females possess elongated ovipositors used to drill through wood to reach their hosts, while males lack this structure. The genus is distinguished by teeth on the hind femur and exhibits holarctic distribution patterns.
Odontocolon albotibiale
Odontocolon albotibiale is a species of ichneumon wasp in the subfamily Xoridinae. The genus Odontocolon comprises 23 species north of Mexico, several with holarctic distributions. Members of this genus are recognized by teeth on the hind femur and are parasitoids of wood-boring beetles. Females possess long ovipositors for drilling into wood to reach hosts, while males lack this structure.
Odontocolon bicolor
Odontocolon bicolor is a species of ichneumon wasp in the subfamily Xoridinae, first described by Cresson in 1870. The genus Odontocolon is one of four genera in Xoridinae, all recognized as parasites of wood-boring beetles and/or Hymenoptera. Members of this genus are characterized by teeth on the hind femur and, in females, long ovipositors used to drill into wood to reach hosts. There are 23 species of Odontocolon found north of Mexico, with several being holarctic in distribution.
Odontocolon mellipes
Odontocolon mellipes is a species of ichneumon wasp in the subfamily Xoridinae. The genus Odontocolon comprises 23 species found north of Mexico, with several exhibiting holarctic distributions across the entire northern hemisphere. Females possess long ovipositors used to drill into wood to reach hosts, while males lack this structure. The species is recognized in part by teeth on the hind femur, a characteristic feature of the genus.
Odontocolon ochropus
Odontocolon ochropus is a species of ichneumon wasp in the subfamily Xoridinae, described by Townes in 1960. Like other members of its genus, it is a parasitoid of wood-boring beetles, utilizing its long ovipositor to reach hosts concealed within dead or dying wood. The species belongs to a group of 23 Odontocolon species found north of Mexico, several of which have holarctic distributions spanning the entire northern hemisphere.
Odontofroggatia
Odontofroggatia is a genus of non-pollinating fig wasps in the family Epichrysomallidae. The genus is associated with a narrow range of host fig species, specifically Ficus microcarpa and Ficus prasinicarpa. Members develop within fig fruits as parasitoids or inquilines. The genus was established by Ishii in 1934.
Odontophotopsis melicausa
A species of velvet ant in the genus Odontophotopsis, first described by Blake in 1871. The genus is characterized by distinctive dental modifications on the mandibles. Like other mutillids, this species exhibits sexual dimorphism with wingless females and winged males.
Oedemopsini
Oedemopsini is a tribe of ichneumon wasps within the subfamily Ctenopelmatinae. Members are parasitoid wasps whose larvae develop within host insects. The tribe contains relatively few described genera and species compared to other ctenopelmatine tribes. These wasps are poorly studied, with limited biological data available.
Oenonogastra
Oenonogastra is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Braconidae, first described by Ashmead in 1900. As a member of the Braconidae, it belongs to a large family of wasps that parasitize other insects. The genus is rarely encountered in collections and field observations, with limited published information on its biology.
Oestroidea
Bot Flies, Blow Flies, and Allies
Oestroidea is a superfamily of Calyptratae comprising approximately 15,000 described species worldwide. It includes blow flies (Calliphoridae), bot flies (Oestridae), flesh flies (Sarcophagidae), tachinid flies (Tachinidae), and related families. The group exhibits diverse ecological strategies including saprophagy, parasitism, and parasitoidism. Molecular analyses confirm Oestroidea as monophyletic, though relationships among constituent families remain partially unresolved.
Oestrophasia
Oestrophasia is a genus of tachinid flies (Diptera: Tachinidae) in the tribe Dufouriini. Members of this genus are parasitoid flies, with at least one species, Oestrophasia (Cenosoma) sabroskyi, documented as a parasitoid of weevils (Curculionidae). The genus contains six described species distributed in the New World.
Oestrophasia calva
Oestrophasia calva is a species of tachinid fly in the family Tachinidae, subfamily Dexiinae, tribe Dufouriini. The species was described by Coquillett in 1902. Tachinid flies are parasitoids, with larvae typically developing inside other insects. This species occurs in North America across Canada, the United States, and Mexico.
Oestrophasia signifera
Oestrophasia signifera is a species of tachinid fly in the subfamily Phasiinae. Members of this genus are parasitoids of true bugs (Hemiptera), though specific host records for this species are limited. The species has been documented across a broad geographic range in the Americas, from Canada through Central America.
Oethecoctonus
Oethecoctonus is a genus of small parasitoid wasps in the family Scelionidae, established by Ashmead in 1893. The genus contains approximately six described species distributed worldwide. In North America, three species are recognized: O. oecanthi (the type species), O. ophrynopus, and O. pleuralis. Members of this genus are known to be parasitoids of orthopteran eggs.
Oethecoctonus oecanthi
Oethecoctonus oecanthi is a parasitoid wasp in the family Platygastridae (formerly Scelionidae). It is the type species of the genus Oethecoctonus, originally described by Riley in 1893. The genus contains three North American species, with two additional species (O. ophrynopus and O. pleuralis) described in a 1983 revision.
Ogcodes
small-headed flies, spider flies
Ogcodes is the largest and most speciose genus in the family Acroceridae (small-headed flies), with approximately 90 described species. The genus is cosmopolitan in distribution and is the only extant genus in the subfamily Ogcodinae. All species are endoparasitoids of ground-dwelling entelegyne spiders, with larvae developing inside adult spiders before emerging to pupate.
Ogcodes eugonatus
small-headed fly
Ogcodes eugonatus is a species of small-headed flies in the family Acroceridae. The larvae are parasitoids of spiders, with documented hosts in five families: Lycosidae, Oxyopidae, Thomisidae, Salticidae, and Agelenidae. Adult morphology is characteristic of the genus Ogcodes, with a small head and rounded body form typical of Acroceridae.
Ogcodes incultus
Ogcodes incultus is a species of small fly in the family Ogcodidae, a group commonly known as spider flies due to their parasitic association with spiders. The genus Ogcodes contains species that are specialized parasitoids, with larvae developing on or within arachnid hosts. Ogcodes incultus is one of several North American species in this genus, though detailed biological studies remain limited. Adults are generally inconspicuous and seldom encountered by casual observers.
Ogcodes pallidipennis
A species of small-headed fly in the family Acroceridae. Larvae are parasitic, developing within the wolf spider *Pardosa lapidicina*.