Chalcid wasps

Chalcidoidea superfamily

The Chalcid wasp superfamily is a very large collection of related small wasps that include many beneficial parasitic wasps. Most important in this group are:

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Aphytis melinus scale insects

Dacnusa sibirica leaf miners

Diglyphus isaea leaf miners

Encarsia formosa whiteflies

Eretmocerus eremicus several whitefly species

Leptomastix dactylopii citrus mealybug

Pediobius foveolatus Mexican bean beetles

Trichogramma species most butterfly and moth caterpillars

Chalcid wasps are very small, ranging from 1/4 millimetre (1/100th of an inch) to 7.5 mm (0.3 inch) in length. They require moisture, food, and shelter as described for other parasitic wasps. As with many other beneficial insects, they are very sensitive to insecticides, whether these are organic or not.

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