Parasitic Wasp (likely a Braconid Wasp or related species)
Scientific Name: Varies widely, e.g., Cotesia congregata (a common braconid parasitoid of tobacco hornworms), but specific identification from this image is not possible.
Order & Family: Order: Hymenoptera, Family: Braconidae (or Ichneumonidae, as distinguishing these families from an image alone is difficult)
Size: Typically small, ranging from 1 mm to 15 mm, with many species being in the 2-5 mm range. The insect in the image appears to be at the smaller end of this spectrum.
Natural Habitat
Widely diverse; found in almost all terrestrial habitats where their hosts are present, including gardens, agricultural fields, forests, and urban areas.
Diet & Feeding
Larvae are parasitic, feeding on other insects (e.g., caterpillars, aphids, beetle larvae). Adults typically feed on nectar, honeydew, or pollen.
Behavior Patterns
Parasitic wasps are solitary and do not form colonies. Females lay their eggs on or inside a host insect, often paralyzing the host. The larvae then develop by consuming the host, eventually killing it. Adults are typically free-living and feed on nectar or honeydew.
Risks & Benefits
Generally beneficial to humans as natural biological control agents, helping to manage populations of various pest insects without the use of chemical pesticides. They pose virtually no risk to humans as they do not sting defensively or aggressively, and their ovipositor is not used for stinging humans. The small size visible in the image further supports this being a beneficial species.
Identified on: 8/13/2025