Genus of wasps
 ;templatestyles src="Template:Taxobox/core/styles.css" / ;
Leptopilina is a genus of parasitoid wasp in the family Figitidae. The genus is best known for the three Drosophila parasitoids "Leptopilina boulardi", "Leptopilina heterotoma" and "Leptopilina clavipes," used to study host-parasite immune interactions. The venom released by "L. heterotoma" during oviposition contains virus-like particles that delay host larval development and suppress the host cellular immune response. There is no evidence that these virus-like particles are the products of viral DNA as described in other parasitoid taxa.
"L. japonica" is a parasitoid of "Drosophila suzukii" which is an important pest in fruit production. It was first captured in November 2020 as bycatch from a "Vespa mandarinia" trap in Washington State - the first find of this species in the United States. This may help to control "D. suzukii" in North America.
References.
 ;templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" / ;