Hyposoter didymator

© Jim Lindsey

Hyposoter didymator is a wasp widespread around the Mediterranean. This insect is able to significantly control populations of lepidopteran pests of the family Noctuidae (Spodoptera littoralis, Helicoverpa armigera, Spodoptera exigua, Autographa gamma, etc...). Hyposoter didymator is a solitary endoparasitoid species. The female lays one egg in a young Noctuidae's caterpillar. The egg hatches within 2 days then the larvae feed at the expense of host tissue. Consequently the caterpillar's food intake and its weight gain slow down drastically. At the end of development, the mature larva emerges from the caterpillar that dies.