Nine species of parasitic wasps are known to attack wheat stem sawfly but Bracon cephi and B. lissogaster are the main species that help regulate this pest in North America. These closely related wasp species are described as idiobiont ectoparasitoids meaning the parasitoid larva, after hatching from an egg laid on the surface of the sawfly larva, feeds on the exterior of the host. Normally, both Bracon species will complete their development (i.e., pupates) inside the wheat stem within the integument of the sawfly larva or just beside the consumed host. There are two generations of B. cephi and B. lissogaster per year. The first generation normally completes its lifecycle then escapes from the wheat stem to locate a new sawfly larva to parasitize. The second generation of these wasps will overwinter within the wheat stem.
These wasps are 2-15 mm long and are usually brown in colour. They have a narrow waist connecting the abdomen to the thorax and the combined length of head plus thorax is equal to the length of the abdomen. These parastiod wasps have long antennae and two pairs of transparent wings. Females have a noticeable ovipositor protruding from the end of the abdomen.
For more information about the natural enemies of the wheat stem sawfly, check out our Insect of the Week page!
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| Bracon cephi (Gahan) (H. Goulet) |