Tomato Aphid Wasp (Aphidiid Wasp)

Natural Habitat

Agricultural fields, gardens, and greenhouses where aphid colonies are present, particularly on crops like tomatoes.

Diet & Feeding

Adults feed on nectar and honeydew; larvae are endoparasitoids that feed exclusively on the internal tissues of aphids.

Behavior Patterns

The female wasp deposits a single egg inside a live aphid. The developing larva consumes the aphid from the inside, eventually turning the aphid into a hard, tan-colored 'mummy' shell before emerging as an adult wasp through a circular hole.

Risks & Benefits

Extremely beneficial for biological pest control; they significantly reduce aphid populations in gardens and agriculture without the need for chemicals. They pose no risk to humans or pets as they do not sting mammals.

Identified on: 6/5/2026