Metaphycus helvolus is a species of parasitic wasp in the family Encyrtidae native to South Africa.

Metaphycus helvolus is a tiny insect, the adult female being yellowish-orange and about 1 mm (3⁄64 in) long.

The wasp larva develops inside the scale nymph, killing it in the process, and emerges through a round hole that it chews.

The wasp has several generations per year in mild climates, which is a faster reproduction rate than that of black scale.

Adult wasps also feed on scale insect nymphs, puncturing them and consuming the liquid that exudes from the pierced hole.