Pseudorhyssa-sternata
Guides
Pseudorhyssa
Pseudorhyssa is a genus of ichneumonid wasps containing cleptoparasitic species that exploit the drill shafts of primary parasitoids to access hosts. The best-studied species, Pseudorhyssa sternata, parasitizes Siricid woodwasps by locating and utilizing oviposition holes made by the primary parasitoid Rhyssa persuasoria. Females detect host-infested trees through stimuli in larval frass, likely associated with symbiotic fungus, and locate specific drill shafts using secretions from the vaginal gland of the primary parasitoid.