Aphid Mummy

Natural Habitat

Found on the undersides of leaves or stems where aphid colonies are present, typically in gardens, farms, and greenhouses.

Diet & Feeding

As larvae, they are endoparasitoids that consume the internal organs of a host aphid; adults may feed on nectar or honeydew.

Behavior Patterns

A female wasp lays an egg inside a live aphid. The larva consumes the aphid from within, causing the aphid's exoskeleton to harden into a tan or gold 'mummy' shell. The adult wasp eventually cuts a circular exit hole to emerge.

Risks & Benefits

Highly beneficial for biological pest control; they significantly reduce aphid populations in agricultural and home garden settings without harming humans.

Identified on: 1/10/2026