Ichneumon wasps: large profile of the beneficial insect

How big are parasitic wasps? Can parasitic wasps sting and are they dangerous for humans or animals? You can find all the answers to these questions and tips on correctly identifying parasitic wasps here.

Even if parasitic wasps (Ichneumonidae) belong to the hymenoptera and the name makes us think of the typical black and yellow, summer garden visitors, they are not real wasps. Rather, parasitic wasps represent a very own group, whose representatives share a special lifestyle: They parasitize other insect species. This makes them important opponents of herbivorous insects - alongside predators such as beetles. Ichneumon wasps control the population of numerous species that we consider to be pests. They render us a valuable service simply by their natural occurrence. But they can also be bred in a targeted manner and used in biological pest control: for this purpose, parasitic wasp species from the genus are primarily used

trichograma used, which have specialized in moths and can be used against clothes and food moths, for example.

Determine and recognize parasitic wasps

Identifying parasitic wasps is often difficult, as most are very small and there are a large number of species. Basically, however, their structure is similar to that of real wasps, which we know so well - only that they are much smaller and cannot sting.

How big are parasitic wasps?

Depending on the species, parasitic wasps can reach a size of less than a millimeter to a few centimetres. The species of the genus trichograma reach just 0.3 to 0.4 millimeters.

What do adult parasitic wasps look like?

Adult parasitic wasps have two pairs of wings, two compound eyes each, antennae and the typical "wasp waist". The females also have a ovipositor that looks like a spike but is far too unstable to pierce skin. You can imagine the laying apparatus like the cannula of a syringe, with which egg laying is mastered very precisely.

How do parasitic wasps develop?

The eggs of the parasitic wasps are laid directly in the larvae or eggs of the host insect. The parasitic wasp larvae also develop there, causing the host itself to die. A new parasitic wasp then hatches, which in turn looks for a new host.

What do parasitic wasp larvae look like?

Parasitic wasp larvae are small, maggot-shaped and have no legs. However, they are rarely seen as they develop inside their host.

What do parasitic wasp eggs look like?

Because of their incredibly small size, little is known about what parasitic wasp eggs look like. Also, you never see them anyway, as they are placed directly into the host.

What do parasitic wasps eat?

The larvae of the parasitic wasp feed on their host, causing it to die. Adult parasitic wasps feed on pollen and nectar.

Are parasitic wasps dangerous?

Ichneumon wasps are not dangerous to humans or pets such as dogs or cats. Due to their high specialization, they only parasitize their host insects and are not interested in other organisms. In addition, once hatched, they immediately seek out new hosts and stay away from other areas.

Can parasitic wasps sting?

There is no need to be afraid of a parasitic wasp sting, because they do not sting. The little animals don't even have a sting. The females only have a laying apparatus - but this is not stable enough to be used for stinging. The males have neither.

Ichneumon wasps as beneficial insects

Many known pests have an associated parasitic wasp. Therefore, hatchlings can be selectively bred and used for biological pest control. Due to the high level of specialization, they are very effective and since they lack the basis for reproduction without the host, they also die themselves after the pest has been successfully eliminated. All in all an elegant system that has been around since the beginning of the 20th century. Century is actively used by us humans.

What pests do parasitic wasps help against?

The most commonly cultivated parasitic wasps belong to the genus trichograma and specialize in moths. Therefore, they find, for example, against food moths and clothes moths their commitment.

Our Plantura parasitic wasps are too trichograma, which parasitize the eggs of food and clothes moths and represent a sustainable and harmless alternative to chemical sprays. The little beneficial creatures are delivered on small cards in various stages of development and get to work immediately after hatching.

Advantages of parasitic wasps in controlling clothes moths and food moths:

• Biological and sustainable control method without "chemical club"
• Harmless to humans, animals and clothing
• Very effective and thorough method - if used correctly
• Odorless
• Simple application
• Free and reliable deliveries

How many parasitic wasps do you need for a moth infestation?

On the maps of our Plantura parasitic wasps against food moths and clothes moths there are about 2000 specimens which are in different stages of development in host eggs and hatch shortly after delivery. That's enough to cover a square meter of space - or an enclosed space such as a drawer or cupboard. The number of cards therefore depends on the size of the area to be treated. For a normal-sized kitchen, we recommend four cards.

The most important motto when fighting clothes and food moths is: "Stay tuned!" Because the infestation can only be finally combated with repeated application of the parasitic wasps will. Four applications are recommended for food moths and six applications for clothes moths, which should be spaced two weeks apart. In order to ensure a smooth process, you will be given the Plantura parasitic wasps against clothes moths and food moths are therefore conveniently delivered to your home every two weeks. This delivery concept also guarantees you fresh parasitic wasps exactly when you need them. Because if you order the little beneficial insects too early, they will already have hatched by the time they are used and may even be dead due to their short lifespan.

How long do parasitic wasps survive in the home?

At room temperature, the parasitic wasps survive about seven to ten days in the house or apartment. After that, they die and crumble into dust due to their tiny shape. They can only reproduce as long as there are moth eggs, as these are needed for the larvae to develop. Therefore, after successful control of the moths, the last generation of parasitic wasps dies without leaving any offspring.

Tip: After use, wipe down the shelves with a damp cloth and wipe down your clothes to remove all traces of the small beneficial insects.

You can also find other possible uses of parasitic wasps in our article "Ichneumon wasps against lice and whitefly“.