Aleiodes | |
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Aleiodes shakirae | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Hymenoptera |
Family: | Braconidae |
Subfamily: | Rogadinae |
Tribe: | Aleidini |
Genus: | Aleiodes |
Aleiodes (Greek ἀ "not", λείος "smooth", εἵδος "appearance") is a genus of the family Braconidae of parasitoid wasps described by Constantin Wesmael in 1838. They are also known as mummy-wasps. The female feeds on the caterpillars of various species, including many pests such as Gypsy moths and tent caterpillars, and then deposits eggs and wraps the prey in a “mummy”. The larva and pupa feed on the caterpillar, and the adult breaks out, leaving the wrapping behind.
There are thousands of species, including these: