 :
Parasitoids are insects that are parasitic to pest insects. They lay their egg(s) on or
in the victim which develop into larvae which literally eat the pest insect alive. They
are not plant eaters. Most are tiny wasps and some are flies. Some examples are Encarsio
formosa, a small wasp which has been used to control such things as greenhouse
whiteflies. The wasp lays it's eggs into the nymph stages of the whiteflies. The
whiteflies darken and die as the wasp larvae develop inside. The adult wasps also eat the
whiteflies nymphs as predators.
Go to parasitoids in beneficial index for more specific
information.
Last edited: 03/07/98 02:05 PM
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