Aphytis melinus is an internal parasite of the California red scale, Aonidiella aurantii, which is a pest of citrus in California and elsewhere.

This wasp drums its antennae against the scale insect to find out if it is healthy, if it is already parasitized, how large it is, etc., to decide how to use this prey.

When the egg hatches, the larval wasp consumes the internal organs of the pest.

When finished with its host, the larva enters the pupal, or cocoon, stage.

[2] This beneficial insect has controlled a key pest in citrus, significantly reducing pesticide use on citrus in California.