Braconid Wasp Cocoons

Gardens, agricultural fields, and woodlands where host caterpillars are present.

Larvae are internal parasites that consume the hemolymph (blood) and organs of caterpillars; adults feed on nectar and pollen.

An adult female wasp injects eggs and venom into a host caterpillar. The larvae develop inside the living host, eventually chewing their way through the skin to spin these white silken cocoons on the caterpillar's exterior to pupate.

Highly beneficial to the ecosystem and gardeners as a natural biological control agent against crop-eating caterpillars; harmless to humans and do not sting.