Orchid Dupe Wasp

Lissopimpla excelsa · Order: Hymenoptera · Family: Ichneumonidae

Also called: Dusky-winged Ichneumonid Wasp

No source yet on danger. We have no source yet on whether it bites, stings or damages anything.
Orchid Dupe Wasp
Photo: Andrew Allen, CC BY

The orchid dupe wasp has a red-brown head, mesosoma, legs and the tip of its abdomen, while the first four abdominal segments are black with large white spots; its wings are smoky brown except at the fore-wing tips. It is found in New Zealand, likely introduced there, and may also be native to that country. The wasp is a parasite that attacks other insects, including the crop pest moth Helicoverpa armigera.

Source: Wikipedia

How to recognize it

Head, mesosoma, legs and the end of the abdomen are red-brown; the first four abdominal segments are black with paired large white spots; wings are dark smoky brown with lighter tips on the fore-wings.

Source: Wikipedia

Where it lives

It occurs in New Zealand, where it is called the dusky-winged ichneumonid, and is probably an introduced species.

Source: Wikipedia

What it eats

Like other members of its family, it is parasitic. It parasitises the noctuid moth pest Helicoverpa armigera.

Source: Wikipedia

Where it comes from

Some sources suggest the species may be native to New Zealand.

Source: Wikipedia

Lookalikes

It was formerly known as Lissopimpla semipunctata, but the name Lissopimpla excelsa has priority.

Source: Wikipedia

More photos

Orchid Dupe Wasp photo 3
Photo: John Tann from Sydney, Australia, CC BY 2.0
Orchid Dupe Wasp photo 4
Photo: John Tann from Sydney, Australia, CC BY 2.0
Orchid Dupe Wasp photo 5
Photo: John Tann from Sydney, Australia, CC BY 2.0
Orchid Dupe Wasp photo 6
Photo: John Tann from Sydney, Australia, CC BY 2.0

Questions people ask

What does the orchid dupe wasp look like?

It has a red-brown head, mesosoma, legs and tip of the abdomen, black front abdominal segments with large white spots, and smoky brown wings with lighter fore-wing tips.

Source: Wikipedia

Where is this wasp found?

It is present in New Zealand, likely as an introduced species, and some sources say it may be native there.

Source: Wikipedia

What does the orchid dupe wasp prey on?

It is a parasitic wasp that attacks other insects, including the crop pest moth Helicoverpa armigera.

Source: Wikipedia

Has the species had other scientific names?

Yes, it was once called Lissopimpla semipunctata, but Lissopimpla excelsa is the correct name.

Source: Wikipedia

Same family (Ichneumonidae)

Long-tailed Giant Ichneumonid WaspLong-tailed Giant Ichneumonid WaspMegarhyssa macruraHarmlessCommon Hover Fly Parasitoid WaspCommon Hover Fly Parasitoid WaspDiplazon laetatoriusToothed Tiger IchneumonToothed Tiger IchneumonAmblyteles armatoriusBlack Giant Ichneumonid WaspBlack Giant Ichneumonid WaspMegarhyssa atrataCream-spotted IchneumonCream-spotted IchneumonEchthromorpha intricatoriaHarmlessBlack-tipped Orange Ichneumon WaspBlack-tipped Orange Ichneumon WaspCtenochares bicolorus

Sources

  • Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lissopimpla_excelsa

Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · Wikipedia

Text written 2026-10-23 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-22.

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