Ichneumonoidea
Quick Summary
The Ichneumonoidea are a large superfamily of solitary wasps, encompassing around 25,000 known species and potentially many more yet to be discovered. This group includes the families Ichneumonidae, Stephanidae, and Braconidae. Ichneumon wasps, particularly those in the Ichneumonidae family, are ecologically and economically significant due to their role as parasitoids.12
These wasps vary greatly in appearance, with adults typically measuring about 1.2 cm (0.5 inches) long, though some species can exceed 5 cm (2 inches). Their larvae feed on or within other arthropods, primarily targeting insects like moths, butterflies, and beetles. Adult ichneumon wasps feed on nectar and pollen. Their parasitic nature makes them important in regulating insect populations, and some species are used in biological control efforts against agricultural pests.1
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