Parasitic Wasps

Parasitic Wasps   Super Families: Braconidae and Ichneumonidae Common Name: Fairyflies, parasitic wasps Appearance: Parasitic wasps are minute insects that live off as parasites on other insects. They are less than 10mm in size and are found in groups. The female wasp displays an ovipositor at its abdomen for the transfer of eggs to the host body. Host Plants or Food: Caterpillars, flies, beetles, aphids, ticks, ants, and spiders. The host may be an egg, larvae, or adult insect. Territory: Throughout the world. Mode of Damage:  Beneficial garden insects. They prey on harmful insects and pests but do not cause any damage to the plants. Habits and Life History: Parasitic wasps are generally found in areas with dense vegetation. They grow inside or on host bodies as ectoparasites or endoparasites. Female parasitic wasps inject eggs along with venom into the host bodies through the ovipositor. This paralyzes the host and provides better nutrition to the larvae that hatch out from the eggs. By the time the larva becomes a pupa, the host insect is dead. Adult parasitic wasps feed mainly on plant nectar while taking some additional nutrition for egg production from insect fluids. Their generational period is small, ranging from 10 days to 30 days.