Tobacco Caterpillar Braconid vs Apache Paper Wasp
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Tobacco Caterpillar Braconid | Apache Paper Wasp |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Microplitis demolitor | Polistes apachus |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Braconidae | Vespidae |
| Size | 2-4 mm | 18-25 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Heathland |
| Diet | Parasitoids | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | North America, South America, Australia | Southwestern United States and northern Mexico |
| Conservation | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
Tobacco Caterpillar Braconid
A small endoparasitoid wasp that injects polydnavirus along with its eggs into caterpillar hosts. It is an important natural enemy of soybean looper and corn earworm.
Did You Know?
It injects a symbiotic virus along with its eggs that suppresses the caterpillar's immune system.
Apache Paper Wasp
A large paper wasp of the American Southwest with yellow and reddish-brown coloring. It constructs open paper comb nests in sheltered locations like building overhangs.
Did You Know?
It is one of the largest paper wasps in North America and is particularly common around desert homes and ranch buildings.