Nature of Ichneumonid Wasps (Family Ichneumonidae)

Ichneumonid Wasps (Family Ichneumonidae)

Ichneumon wasps are a highly diverse group of parasitoid wasps found within the insect order Hymenoptera. While around 25,000 species have been described, their actual diversity is believed to be even greater, making them one of the most varied groups within the Hymenoptera. These wasps play a crucial role in regulating insect populations by attacking the immature stages of other insects and spiders, ultimately killing their hosts. They are considered promising agents for biological control in natural and semi-natural systems. They exhibit both idiobiont and koinobiont strategies in parasitism. Idiobiont paralyze their host, preventing movement or growth, while koinobionts allow their host to continue growing and developing. In both cases, the host typically dies after some weeks, after which their larva emerges and pupates. The hosts of these wasps are mainly larvae or pupae of Lepidoptera, Coleopteran, and Hymenoptera, with some species parasitizing spiders as well. Some ichneumonids target agricultural pests, making them valuable for biological pest control. Adult of wasps have a slender waist, two pairs of wings, large compound eyes, and typically more antennal segments than other wasps. Females have an unmodified ovipositor which they use to lay eggs inside or on their host, injecting venom along with the egg. Males do not possess stingers or ovipositors.?

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