#aphidius

As one of the events for the BioBlitz, the Waterbird Conservation Group gave us access to a small wetland reserve that I'd never known was even there, despite driving past it on the adjacent freeway hundreds of times a year. This was one of the species observed.

Widespread but tiny Braconid wasps that lay their eggs inside aphids. The unfortunate aphid becomes a swollen yellow or tan mummy by the time the wasp larva finishes it off, and pupates inside the dead, hollowed out host.

Unsurprisingly, the 17 or so species are important biological pest controls in crops, greenhouses, urban areas and home gardens.