Braconid Wasp Cocoon

Typically found outdoors on vegetation where host caterpillars browse, or indoors if a host insect has wandered inside.

The larva inside is non-feeding as it pupates; as a parasitoid larva, it consumed the internal tissues and fluids of a host caterpillar.

Larvae emerge from a host caterpillar simultaneously, spin these individual silk cocoons to pupate, and emerge as tiny adult wasps after several days.

Extremely beneficial; they act as natural biological control agents by killing caterpillars that are often agricultural or garden pests. They do not sting humans.