Quasi-gregarious
Guides
Ooencyrtus kuvanae
gypsy moth egg parasitoid, spongy moth egg parasitoid
Ooencyrtus kuvanae is a solitary egg parasitoid wasp in the family Encyrtidae, originally introduced to North America in 1908 for biological control of Lymantria moths. It has since become established as a natural enemy of the spongy moth (Lymantria dispar) and has been documented parasitizing the invasive spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) in North America. The species exhibits quasi-gregarious development, with females typically laying one offspring per host egg and adjusting sex ratios based on resource availability and local mate competition. Development from egg to adult takes 18–24 days, with males emerging approximately one day earlier than females.