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Wasp - Family Braconidae, Subf. Cheloninae I think this is a parasitic wasp in the subfamily Cheloninae. They are koinobiont endoparasitoids on lepidopteran larvae, meaning females inject their eggs into the host&#039;s body and the larvae eat the caterpillar. But, the caterpillar host does not die quickly. Rather, it is eaten while still alive and persists until the wasp larvae are finished with their development.<br />
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Habitat: Attracted to a light in a semi-rural area.<br />
 Cheloninae,Geotagged,Summer,United States,braconid,braconidae,endoparasitoid,koinobiont,parasitic wasp,wasp Click/tap to enlarge

Wasp - Family Braconidae, Subf. Cheloninae

I think this is a parasitic wasp in the subfamily Cheloninae. They are koinobiont endoparasitoids on lepidopteran larvae, meaning females inject their eggs into the host's body and the larvae eat the caterpillar. But, the caterpillar host does not die quickly. Rather, it is eaten while still alive and persists until the wasp larvae are finished with their development.

Habitat: Attracted to a light in a semi-rural area.

    comments (2)

  1. Gruesome but effective I guess. Posted 5 years ago
    1. For sure! Nature doesn't claim to be gentle. Posted 5 years ago

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By Christine Young

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Uploaded Aug 8, 2020. Captured Aug 7, 2020 21:49 in 5 East St, New Milford, CT 06776, USA.
  • Canon EOS 90D
  • f/5.0
  • 1/99s
  • ISO500
  • 100mm