Aphidius colemani on sticky cards

Aphidius colemani is a parasitic wasp of small aphid species such as green peach aphid and melon aphid. They have long antennae and a "pinched in" waist like an ant.

These small parasitic wasps lay their eggs inside the aphid. The aphids are killed as the developing larvae first feed upon them and then spin their cocoons. The dead aphids turn into tan "mummies". A round exit hole is formed when the parasitic wasp emerges. A. colemani is a very good flyer and is able to locate small colonies or individual aphids.