Woodwasp-parasitoid
Guides
Ibalia
Ibalia is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Ibaliidae, comprising approximately 13-14 described species. All species are specialized parasitoids of siricid woodwasps (family Siricidae), attacking the larval stages of their hosts within dead or decaying wood. Females locate host larvae by detecting volatile compounds emitted by symbiotic fungi that siricids cultivate for nutrition. The genus is notable for its laterally compressed abdomen, giving a distinctive flattened appearance, and for its role as a biological control agent against invasive woodwasps such as Sirex noctilio.
parasitoidwoodwasp-parasitoidbiological-controlforest-insectCynipoideaproovigenicolfactory-foragingcuticular-hydrocarbonesalkane-pheromonesSiricidae-parasitoidAmylostereumCerrenavolatileshost-finding-behaviorpatch-foragingcon-specific-interferenceflight-capacitylaterally-compressed-abdomenIbalia-ancepsIbalia-leucospoidesIbalia-drewseniIbalia-japonicaIbalia-rufipesIbalia-ruficollisRhyssa
Rhyssa is a genus of large ichneumon wasps in the subfamily Rhyssinae, characterized by exceptionally long ovipositors used to parasitize wood-boring larvae. The genus name derives from Greek meaning "wrinkled." Species in this genus are parasitoids of siricid woodwasps and related wood-boring insects, with females drilling through timber to locate and oviposit on hosts concealed deep within wood. They are distributed across Europe, North Africa, the Near East, North America, the Indomalayan realm, and Australia.