Goniozus is a small, black parasitic wasp which parasitizes a very serious almond and pecan pest, the Navel Orangeworm. This is an external parasite, meaning that it stings the immature Navel Orangeworm larvae and lays its eggs on the outside of the host. The eggs hatch and the young feed on the host until they are ready to develop into mature adults. At that time, they move off the host and pupate in small silken cocoons. One female parasite can produce 8 or more offspring from one host. This parasite is present in the state of California and readily establishes in the orchard, although supplemental releases will be necessary from year to year to maintain control of the Navel Orangeworm.

Goniozus legneri (Gordh) is known as a primary external parasite of the Navel Orangeworm, Amyalois transitella (Walker). It was imported into California by Dr. E.F. Legner in 1978 from southern Uruguay for the biological control of Navel Orangeworm - the most serious pest of pecans and almonds in the Central Valley of California. This parasite is capable of recognizing and regulating Navel Orangeworm densities by increasing the rate of attack at higher host densities. Goniozus legneri performs well in warmer temperatures, actually increasing the rate of reproduction and number of female parasites produced at 35°C. This makes their establishment especially attractive in almond orchards. We now produce Goniozus at our insectary and we are looking forward to becoming one of the major suppliers of this beneficial insect to almond and pecan growers in the southwest.