Goniozus omanensis

[1] G. omanensis can be found in Iraq and Oman and is the most prevalent parasitoid of the lesser date moth which causes significant economic losses.

[2] Due to this it has been researched as a method of biological pest control however it has not been proven effective.

Females can be distinguished from males due to their pointed distal metasoma and ovipositor.

[2] After mating female G. omanensis attack and paralyze their prey, they lay their eggs on the skin of the host larvae.

When the eggs hatch they then spend 3-4 days feeding on the larvae before spinning a white silky cocoon nearby.

Goniozus omanensis larvae feeding on a Corcyra cephalonica host larva