Beneficial Parasitoids

 

Parasitoids feed on other insects as larvae and on nectar as adults. Most are either small flies or wasps.
Wasps
Parasitized Caterpillar

Paper wasp, Polistes spp. latreille

Picture courtesy of E.L. Manigault, www.forestryimages.org

Ichneumonid wasp, Itoplectis conquisitor

Picture courtesy of Gerald J. Lenhard, Louisiana State University www.insectimages.com

Parasitic wasp, Cotesia conregata, has spun egg-shaped cocoons on a hornworms back

Picture courtesy of Clemson University USDA Cooperative Extension Slide Series www.insectimages.org