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Tiny black parasitic wasp 3 mm in length with a long ovipositor. The legs are banded orange and black. Family Braconidae, Subfamily Microgastrinae.
Came to an ultraviolet light in the garden, San Cristobal de Las Casas, 2,200 meters.
Spotted on Jul 25, 2014
Submitted on Jul 27, 2014
2 Comments
Thank you so much John :)
Hi Lauren
Braconidae, Microgastrinae
This is another group of wasps that are gregarious parasitoids of caterpillars and have larvae that spin silken cocoons.
Hit Google images for Microgastrinae cocoons (or pupae or larvae) and you will get an idea of what these get up to.
Well known genera in this group include Apanteles and Cotesia - but there are many, many more.