Nemeritis

Nemeritis is a genus of ichneumonid wasps belonging to the subfamily Campopleginae. These wasps are endoparasitoids, meaning they parasitize other insects, typically the larvae of Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies).

Characteristics:

• Appearance: Nemeritis wasps are typically slender with a long ovipositor (egg-laying structure) in females. Their coloration can vary, but often includes black and reddish-brown markings.
• Host Specificity: Different Nemeritis species exhibit varying degrees of host specificity, with some targeting a narrow range of host species while others are more generalist.
• Life Cycle: The female wasp uses her ovipositor to lay an egg inside the host larva. The wasp larva then develops within the host, eventually killing it.
• Ecological Role: As parasitoids, Nemeritis wasps play a role in regulating insect populations, and are sometimes considered beneficial insects in agricultural settings.
• Distribution: Species within the genus Nemeritis are found in various geographical regions around the world.