BRACONID WASP
Braconid sp.
BRACONID WASP FAMILY (Braconidae)
This wasp is approximately 1/2 inch in length and has a bright orange thorax and abdomen. The face and eyes are black and the antennae are black, long and curved. The legs are orange and black. The wings are long and black, and extend well beyond the abdomen.
The frequency of occurrence of this wasp is not known, but the individual shown here was photographed in mid-September in Neale Woods. It can be seen nectaring on flowers.
This wasp is in the subfamily Agathidinae. A typical charactistic of members of this subfamily is the long face. There are about 1,900 species of Braconid wasps in North America and they are parasites of a variety of other insects. Many species are egg-larval parasitoids, laying eggs on host eggs and not developing until the host is in the larval state. Many pupate in tiny silken cocoons outside the body of the host, e.g., on a caterpillar. Some species are recognized as important in controlling pest species.
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