Pemphredon-parasite
Guides
Omalus iridescens
Omalus iridescens is a species of cuckoo wasp in the family Chrysididae. Like other members of the genus Omalus, it is a cleptoparasite that exploits the nesting behavior of solitary wasps. The species exhibits the characteristic metallic coloration typical of chrysidid wasps. Based on documented behaviors of closely related Omalus species, females likely oviposit into aphids that are subsequently captured by crabronid wasps and transported to their nests, where the cuckoo wasp larva develops at the expense of the host's offspring.
Omalus variatus
Omalus variatus is a species of cuckoo wasp in the family Chrysididae. Like other members of its genus, it is a kleptoparasite that targets the nests of solitary wasps, particularly aphid-hunting wasps in the family Crabronidae. The species exhibits a distinctive indirect parasitism strategy: females oviposit into aphids, which are then captured by host wasps and transported to their nests, where the cuckoo wasp larva develops by consuming the host's provisions.
Perithous scurra pleuralis
Perithous scurra pleuralis is a subspecies of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae. As a member of the genus Perithous, it is a parasitoid wasp known to target the nests of solitary wasps, particularly those of aphid-hunting Pemphredon wasps. The species was described by Cresson in 1868.