August 1996
SIZE: Varied
COLOR: Varied
DESCRIPTION: The adults of the parasitic wasp vary considerably in size, form, and coloration, but the majority resemble slender wasps. They do not sting. They differ from the wasps that sting in that they have very long antennae. There are a great variety of hosts for these wasps:caterpillars, moths, leafminers, wood-boring beetle larvae, flies, aphids, gypsy moth, weevils, and spiders.
HABITAT: Homeowners usually encounter parasitic wasps in houses in the fall and winter, partly because these wasps emerge from infested insects associated with firewood.
LIFE CYCLE: The adults attack and lay eggs in a great variety of hosts; the larvae are internal parasites of the immature stages of the host. The parasite larva usually completes development in the host, and emerges from the host when an adult. The parasite kills the host (that's the beneficial part!).
TYPE OF DAMAGE: These parasites help to reduce the number of pest insects, thus taking an edge off the amount of damage from pests.
CONTROL: No control is recommended for these wasps.
INTERESTING FACTS: Research by biological control programs has helped to increase the number of parasitic wasps in an area, again to help reduce the number of pests.
