Diadegma insulare (Cresson)

(Insecta: Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae)

Diadegma insulare parasitizes medium-sized larvae of diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella, and other caterpillars.

The adult wasps measure approximately 6 mm in length. Their legs and ventral abdomen are reddish, while all other body parts appear dark brown, almost black.

This parasitoid overwinters within the cocoon of its host. After emergence in the spring, adults mate, and females lay eggs into suitable host larvae. Larvae develop within the host and pupate inside the host’s cocoon. The number of generations per year coincides with the number of host generations.

Diadegma insulare is found in the United States and South America. It is the predominant parasitoid of diamondback moth in Florida, with parasitism rates of up to 90 percent.

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Adult Diadegma insulare (Cresson)

(Photographer: Lyle Buss, University of Florida)

Male of Diadegma insulare (Cresson) with diamondback moth, Plutella zylostella, host larvae

(Photographer: Andrei Sourakov, Florida Museum of Natural History)