Braconid wasps

  • Updated
    07/08/24
  • Read time
    2 minutes
Braconid wasp Click to enlarge image
Braconid wasp, Genus Callibracon Image: Andrew Donnelly
© Australian Museum

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Callibracon
    Subfamily
    Braconinae
    Family
    Braconidae
    Super Family
    Ichneumonoidea
    Order
    Hymenoptera
    Class
    Insecta
    Subphylum
    Uniramia
    Phylum
    Arthopoda
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    2 cm

Introduction

Braconid wasps are a large family of wasps with over 800 Australian species. They are closely related to the ichneumonid wasps and parasitise the larvae of many insect groups in a similar way.

Habitat

Braconid wasps live in urban areas, forests and woodlands, wetlands.

Distribution

Braconid wasps are found throughout Australia.

Distribution data sourced from the Atlas of Living Australia

Feeding and diet

Braconid wasps can be seen around Sydney woodlands searching for beetle larvae in logs and the trunks of fallen trees.

Life history cycle

Braconid wasps use the egg and adult stages of other insects as hosts for their young. On finding a suitable host, eggs are laid on or in the victim, providing the wasp larvae with a meal when they hatch.

Economic impacts

Some braconid wasps play an important role in controlling pest species of insects such as aphids.