Hymenoptera: Braconidae
Identification
• Braconids are small wasps, rarely over 1/2 inch long, usually dark-colored
with 4 transparent wings. Identification by the amateur is often difficult.
The external cocoons resemble insect eggs, but are made of silk.
Host Range
• Braconids are diverse and parasitize many insects. Some attack the
host internally, others feed from the outside of a host insect. Different
species of braconids attack insect eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults.
Life Cycle
• The braconid wasp shown here attacks the tomato hornworm. Female
wasps inject eggs into the caterpillar’s body. The larvae that hatch from
the eggs feed inside the caterpillar until they mature and eat their way
out through the caterpillar’s skin. They spin the characteristic cocoons
from which adult wasps later emerge.
Other Information
• Leave parasitized caterpillars with cocoons alone so the wasps can
emerge to attack more hornworms.