Wood-borer-parasitoid
Guides
Bethylidae
Flat wasps
Bethylidae is a family of aculeate wasps in the superfamily Chrysidoidea, commonly known as flat wasps due to their dorsoventrally compressed body form. The family exhibits a biology intermediate between parasitoid and predatory wasps: females sting and paralyze prey (primarily beetle and lepidopteran larvae), then oviposit on the immobilized hosts. Most species are small (2–10 mm), with females often wingless or apterous while males are always winged. The family contains eight recognized subfamilies and approximately 96 genera, with highest diversity in tropical and subtropical regions.
Cenocoeliinae
Cenocoeliinae is a subfamily of braconid wasps comprising medium-sized parasitoids (3-11 mm). They are distinguished by the high attachment of the metasoma on the propodeum, contrasting with most braconids where attachment occurs just above the hind coxa. Members are non-cyclostome and possess relatively large heads, often with darkly colored wings. Females have long ovipositors adapted for reaching hosts concealed within plant tissues. The group has been documented as koinobiont endoparasitoids of beetle larvae, particularly cerambycids, curculionids, buprestids, and scolytines.
Cenocoelius
Cenocoelius is a genus of braconid wasps in the subfamily Cenocoeliinae. Species with documented life histories are koinobiont parasitoids of wood-boring beetle larvae. The genus is relatively poorly known, with few observations and limited geographic records.
Cleonymus magnificus
Cleonymus magnificus is a species of chalcidoid wasp in the family Cleonymidae, described by Ashmead in 1888. It belongs to a group of parasitoid wasps that attack wood-boring beetle larvae. The species has been recorded from Canada (Quebec) and the United States, though detailed biological information remains limited in available literature.
Coleocentrus occidentalis occidentalis
Coleocentrus occidentalis occidentalis is a subspecies of ichneumonid wasp in the genus Coleocentrus. Members of this genus are parasitoid wasps, and C. occidentalis as a species has been documented as a parasitoid of wood-boring beetle larvae. The subspecies designation indicates geographic differentiation within the western North American range of the species. Like other ichneumonids, this wasp likely possesses a long ovipositor adapted for reaching hosts concealed in wood.
Cynipoidea
Gall Wasps and Allies
Cynipoidea is a superfamily of small wasps comprising approximately 3,000 described species across seven extant families, with many undescribed species estimated. The group exhibits diverse life histories: while the family Cynipidae (gall wasps) are phytophagous and induce plant galls, the majority of species are parasitoids or hyperparasitoids of other insects. The superfamily is taxonomically challenging, with family-level identification historically difficult until the publication of a comprehensive illustrated key in 2020.
parasitoidgall-formerhyperparasitoidbiological-controloak-forestinquilinealternation-of-generationsundescribed-diversityreduced-wing-venationHymenopteraApocritaecosystem-engineerplant-manipulationforest-insectagricultural-pest-controlDrosophila-suzukiiaphid-hyperparasitoidwood-borer-parasitoiddung-breeding-fly-parasitoidtaxonomic-keygall-communitynutrient-cyclingphenologysexual-dimorphismparthenogenesiskoinobiontidiobiontPalaearctic-diversityNearctic-diversityMediterranean-hotspotoak-gallrosinweed-gallgoldenrod-gallintroduced-speciesadventive-faunaNew-Zealand-faunaTurkish-faunabroadleaf-forestprairie-habitatagricultural-systemsoft-fruit-pestintegrated-pest-managementbiocontrol-agentextension-entomologymicrohymenopteramorphological-keycouplet-identificationmetasomal-fusionpetiole-reductionglossy-integumentcompressed-bodyprognathous-headflagellomere-reductionnotauli-reductionpterostigma-presencehamuli-presenceovipositor-structurehypopygium-developmentlarval-chamberlocularity-formationhost-genome-exploitationroom-service-nutritiondefensive-immune-suppressionSWD-biocontroleucoiline-waspcharipine-hyperparasitoidanacharitine-parasitoidemarginine-parasitoidfigitine-parasitoidibaliine-parasitoidliopterine-parasitoiddiplolepidine-gall-formerpediaspine-gall-formeraulacideine-gall-formeraylacine-gall-formerceroptresine-inquilinecynipine-gall-formerdiastrophine-gall-formereschatocerine-gall-formerphanacidine-gall-formerqwaqwaiine-gall-formersynergine-inquilineBeringian-biogeographyEocene-forest-separationclimate-change-habitat-shiftphenological-form-associationearly-oak-phenoformlate-oak-phenoformQuercus-robur-gall-communityQuercus-cerris-gall-communityQuercus-ilex-gall-communityAsteraceae-gall-formerEucalyptus-gall-formerRosaceae-gall-formerFagaceae-gall-formerBrevicoryne-brassicae-hyperparasitoidAphidiinae-hyperparasitoidAphelinus-hyperparasitoidOphelimus-parasitoidMikeius-parasitoidAntistrophus-gall-formerNeuroterus-gall-formerAndricus-gall-formerCynips-gall-formerDiplolepis-gall-formerCallirhytis-gall-formerSaphonecrus-inquilineSynergus-inquilineLithosaphonecrus-inquilineCerroneuroterus-gall-formerParaganaspis-parasitoidTriplasta-parasitoidConeucoela-parasitoidAlloxysta-hyperparasitoidPhaenoglyphis-hyperparasitoidXyalaspis-adventiveGanaspis-adventiveThoreauella-adventiveAnacharis-nativeKleidotoma-nativeTrybliographa-groupKleidotoma-groupGronotoma-groupRhoptromeris-groupGanaspis-groupChrestosema-groupZaeucoila-groupAfrotropical-lineageNeotropical-lineageleaf-mining-agromyzid-parasitoidagromyzid-parasitoidcabbage-aphid-hyperparasitoidbovine-dung-dipteran-parasitoidcattle-dung-parasitoidpasture-ecosystem-serviceforest-biodiversity-indicatorcollection-based-taxonomymolecular-phylogeneticscladistic-analysisimplied-weights-parsimonyskeletal-character-codingdigital-image-databaseInternet-accessible-databasehigher-level-phylogenygeneric-classification-revisiongenus-group-systeminformal-genus-groupssynapomorphy-discussionhost-parasitoid-coevolutionevolutionary-radiationtropical-parasitoid-diversitybiodiversity-documentationscientific-nomenclatureetymological-analysishost-based-species-naminggeographic-namingmorphological-namingdedication-namingtaxonomic-communicationbiodiversity-informaticsfaunistic-surveynew-country-recordnew-provincial-recordnew-genus-recordnew-species-descriptionspecies-redescriptiondichotomous-key-constructioncharacter-coupletillustrated-identificationmicroscope-photographyspecimen-imagingstudent-tested-keyexpert-consultationproofed-keyextension-entomology-applicationstakeholder-educationforest-managementfarm-managementfield-managementecosystem-service-valuationfuture-policy-implementationmicrohymenopteran-collectiondiagnostic-indicator-applicationobjective-setting-for-conservationclimate-change-monitoringhabitat-fragmentation-responseoak-stand-compositionurban-oak-forestnursery-oak-cultivationgeomorphic-topographic-structure-influencespecies-richness-patterndistribution-mappinghost-plant-documentationgall-morphology-documentationseasonal-gall-collectionmulti-year-field-studyprovince-level-inventoryregional-fauna-characterizationcountry-level-checklistglobal-fauna-overviewadventive-species-dominancedeliberate-introduction-historybiological-control-introductionnative-species-rarityendemic-species-presencecollection-revisiontype-specimen-examinationreared-specimen-basisdiagnosis-illustrationdistribution-data-compilationhost-relation-discussionbiology-documentationnatural-history-summarytaxonomic-overview-provisionfaunal-knowledge-gap-identificationresearch-accessibility-improvemententry-barrier-reductioncool-thing-discovery-enablementDolichomitus irritator
Dolichomitus irritator is a species of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae, first described by Fabricius in 1775. It belongs to a genus characterized by exceptionally long ovipositors used to reach wood-boring host larvae deep within tree trunks. The species has been documented in North America, with observations from Kansas and surrounding regions. Like other members of its genus, it is presumed to be a parasitoid of wood-boring insect larvae, though specific host records for this species appear limited in the available literature.
Doryctinus
Doryctinus is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Braconidae, subfamily Doryctinae. These wasps are part of a diverse group of koinobiont endoparasitoids that attack concealed hosts, particularly wood-boring beetle larvae. The genus was established by Roman in 1910 and remains poorly known, with limited species-level documentation and few observational records.
Echthrus niger
Echthrus niger is a species of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae, described by Cresson in 1868. It belongs to a genus of parasitoid wasps that attack wood-boring beetle larvae. The species has been recorded in western Canada, specifically in Alberta and surrounding regions.
Evanioidea
Aulacid, Carrot, and Ensign Wasps
Evanioidea is a small superfamily of parasitoid wasps comprising three extant families: Evaniidae (ensign wasps), Aulacidae (aulacid wasps), and Gasteruptiidae (gasteruptiid or carrot wasps). Aulacidae and Gasteruptiidae are sister groups, with Evaniidae representing a more distant lineage. The superfamily is defined by a distinctive morphological trait: the metasoma attaches high on the propodeum, well above the hind coxae. Approximately 1,100 extant species are described, though many remain undescribed. The group has a rich fossil record extending to the Middle Jurassic, with peak diversity during the Jurassic-Cretaceous transition before decline following the rise of Ichneumonoidea.
Exetastes suaveolens
Exetastes suaveolens is a species of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae, described by Walsh in 1873. The genus Exetastes comprises parasitoid wasps, and members of this genus are known to attack wood-boring beetle larvae. This species has been recorded in North America, with distribution records from Canada (Aweme, Manitoba) and the northeastern United States (Vermont).
Labeninae
Labeninae is a subfamily of parasitoid wasps within Ichneumonidae, comprising 12 extant genera organized into four tribes: Labenini, Groteini, Poecilocryptini, and Xenothyrini. The group has a predominantly Southern Hemisphere distribution, with phylogenomic and biogeographic analyses supporting a Gondwanan origin approximately 146 million years ago. Members exhibit diverse host associations: Labenini parasitize wood-boring beetles (Buprestidae, Cerambycidae, Curculionidae), Groteini specialize on solitary bees, and Poecilocryptini may include phytophagous species based on larval morphology. The subfamily represents an ancient lineage with complex biogeographic history involving vicariance and range expansion events.
Megarhyssa macrurus
Long-tailed Giant Ichneumonid Wasp, Long-tailed Giant Ichneumon Wasp
Megarhyssa macrurus is a large parasitoid wasp and one of the biggest ichneumonids in North America. Females possess an extraordinarily long ovipositor—often exceeding body length—that allows them to reach wood-boring host larvae deep inside decaying trees. The species is a specialist parasitoid of pigeon horntail (Tremex columba) larvae. It occurs across the eastern United States and southern Canada, where it is most commonly observed in summer.
Megischus texanus
Texas Crown Wasp
Megischus texanus, commonly known as the Texas Crown Wasp, is a species of parasitoid wasp in the family Stephanidae. Crown wasps are characterized by their distinctive elongated, crown-like projection on the head and their parasitoid lifestyle targeting wood-boring beetle larvae. This species represents one of relatively few documented members of this ancient wasp family in North America.
Phasgonophora algerti
Phasgonophora algerti is a species of parasitoid wasp in the family Chalcididae. It belongs to the subfamily Phasgonophorinae, a group of chalcidid wasps that includes species associated with wood-boring beetles. The genus Phasgonophora contains native North American parasitoids that attack various wood-boring beetle larvae in trees.
Podoschistus vittifrons
Podoschistus vittifrons is the sole North American representative of its genus, a member of the ichneumonid subfamily Poemeniinae. It is an ectoparasitoid wasp that targets wood-boring beetle larvae, using its elongated ovipositor to deposit eggs through solid wood. The species has undergone repeated taxonomic revision, previously assigned to the genera Xorides and Neoxorides. Despite its large size and distinctive appearance, it is rarely encountered in the field.
Xorides peniculus
Xorides peniculus is a species of ichneumon wasp described by Townes in 1960. It belongs to the genus Xorides within the family Ichneumonidae. The species has been documented in North America, including observations during the 2025 City Nature Challenge in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Like other members of its genus, it is presumed to be a parasitoid of wood-boring beetle larvae, though specific host records for this species are not well documented.