Chalcid wasp facts for kids
The chalcid wasps, also known as Chalcidoidea, are a large group of tiny wasps. They are a "superfamily" in the world of animal classification. Most chalcid wasps are parasitoid wasps, which means they lay their eggs on or inside other insects. Their young then grow by feeding on the host insect.
Scientists believe there are over 500,000 different kinds of chalcid wasps, but only about 22,506 species have been officially named and described. This superfamily includes 19 living families of wasps.
Contents
What Chalcid Wasps Do
Most chalcid wasps are parasites of other insects. They often target the eggs or young (larval) stages of at least 12 different insect groups. For example, some chalcids lay their eggs inside caterpillars or beetle larvae.
Hyperparasites
Sometimes, a chalcid wasp will lay its eggs inside another insect that is already a parasite. When this happens, the chalcid is called a hyperparasitoid. It's like a parasite of a parasite!
Chalcids and Plants
While most chalcids are insect parasites, a few types actually eat plants. The most famous plant-eating chalcids are the fig wasps. These tiny wasps play a very important role in helping fig trees reproduce.
Helping Farmers
Because many chalcid wasps are parasites of other insects, they are sometimes used to control crop pests. Farmers can release certain types of chalcid wasps to naturally reduce the number of harmful insects that damage their crops. This is a way of using nature to help protect plants without using too many chemicals.
Images for kids
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Eurytoma gigantea female, a type of chalcid wasp.
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A Torymus female, another kind of chalcid wasp.
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Balcha indica, belonging to the Eupelmidae family.
See also
In Spanish: Chalcidoidea para niños
