Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae

Identification
• These small, blackish wasps are < ¹/₈ inch long and only attack aphids. As with most parasites, sight identification is difficult. Aphid mummies look like tiny, swollen grocery bags.

Host Range
• Each aphid parasite species attacks only a few aphid species and they will not attack any other (nonaphid) group of pests.

Life Cycle
• A female wasp lays a single egg in an aphid. After the egg hatches, the parasite larva feeds inside the aphid, where it pupates. Newly emerged adult parasites exit from the aphid body.
• The dead aphid (mummy) has a bloated appearance and is brownish or white.

Other Information
• While the parasite is seldom seen, results of its actions (aphid mummies) are easily viewed in most aphid colonies.