Latin: hymenoptera
Parasitic wasps are an extraordinarily rich wasp group in Denmark with about 5,000 different species. In Latin, the parasitic wasp is called hymenoptera. Even though all the species go by the name parasitic wasp, there is a huge difference between them.
Appearance
The common feature of all the species is that the females have a laying brood, and both females and males have a slim waist. The feeler horns are typically very mobile and long. However, the species vary a lot in both size and color. Some are very small and just 1.5-2 mm, while other species are larger 15-20 mm. Color wise, they also vary, some are yellow-brown or metallic, while others are almost completely black, with various types of markings.
If you desire to distinguish the species from each other, it is the size and color you have to look at.
Biology and behavior
When parasitic wasps are larvae, they live in or on arthropods as parasites. Which is the reason for its name. The adult parasitic wasps however feeds on nectar from honeydew and flowers.
When the females lay eggs, it is placed in the prey via the laying brood. Which prey they chooses differs from species to species. Small types of parasitic wasps place their eggs in skin beetles or beetle larva or woodboring beetle larva, while others choose to parasitize on aphids. Females from the larger parasitic wasp species, choose to parasitize on wood wasp larvae or butterfly larvae.
Damage
There are no parasitic wasp species that can damage furniture or houses. In fact, a variety of the species are used for biological pest control on farms, in plantations, gardens and greenhouses.
Some species can sting with the laying brood, but this rarely happens. If this happens, it is usually because you accidentally squeeze them.
Prevention and control
If many parasitic wasps occur in the home, it is usually because there is something that has already been attacked by insects. This is where the parasitic wasps will appear as the origin of them. This is e.g., in connection with firewood or plant material which has been stored indoors for a longer period.
If you do not have the opportunity to locate the place of origin, the presence of the parasitic wasps may possibly involve borer beetle infestations in the woodwork of the house. However, you can also find that the parasitic wasps have simply strayed their way into the home.
Since the parasitic wasps are not harmful, but have the ability to act as beneficial animals, there is no reason to fight them. If you find that the parasitic wasps appear in such large numbers that they seem annoying, you must try to find the place of origin – typically various plant material or firewood.
As soon as the place of origin is removed and possibly sprayed with an insect spray, the parasitic wasp problem will in most cases be solved. Be sure to use an insect spray that is designed to fight flying insects. In addition, be sure to follow the instructions on the product carefully. This way you are sure that you are fighting the parasitic wasps properly. If the number of parasitic wasps is due to borer beetle infestation, you must fight the borer beetle and not the parasitic wasp. As the beetle is controlled and removed from the area, the parasitic wasps will usually find another place to stay. Therefore, it is important that you find the reason for the parasitic wasps’ stay in the area so that you can fight them in the right way.
"Pests in House and Home"
"Bed Bugs - Bites, Stings and Itches"
"Food Pests"
"Husets dyreliv" (Insects Around the House - Only danish)
"Skadedyr i træ" (Timber Pests - Only danish)
"Stuefluen" (Common Housefly - Only danish)