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| Could you identify this insect from this picture? Brachymeria podagrica is a chalcid wasp parasitoid that attacks filth flies, like those that feed on carrion. |
Admittedly the insect was an obscure critter. I'm guessing that not one in 100 PMPs has ever heard of a chalcid (CHAL sid) wasp before. But chalcid wasps are common natural enemies of many insect pests. Identified by their small size and giant hind femurs, the Chalcididae family makes up one of the dozen or so "parasitoid" wasp families within the bee/wasp/ant order Hymenoptera.
Parasitoid wasps are certainly one of the most fascinating and wonderful, yet horrifying, of all creatures. So seemingly cruel in its behavior that theologians and biologists argued over the last 200 years whether the mere existence of insects like the ichneumon wasp (a cousin of the chalcid wasp) served as proof against the Christian belief in a loving Creator-God.*
Parasitoids are parasite-like predators. Like a parasite, they grow up feeding on or in a single host. But unlike true parasites, which weaken but rarely kill, parasitoids invariably kill their hosts. Parasitoids begin their lives as an egg laid by their mother on a soft part of a host's anatomy. Upon hatching the parasitoid larva burrows into the body cavity of its host and begins feeding. The larva knows instinctively to begin with the non-essential parts, prolonging the life of its victim as long as possible. Eaten alive from the inside, ultimately the host dies. Ugh.
It does sound cruel, but parasitoids are also one of nature's most effective population control agents. Without them, crops would vanish under billions of caterpillars. Flies would breed unchecked. Even spiders would be more abundant than they already are. Parasitoid wasps possess some of the world's sharpest "noses" (actually antennae), able to sniff out prey even when the prey are vanishingly rare. They are also smart, with some species recently being trained to sniff out illicit drugs and even bombs on the battlefield. Gardeners and farmers, especially, reap the benefits of parasitoid services every day.
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| The key to identifying chalcid wasps is their tiny size (this is one of the larger chalcids at 5 mm), reduced veination in the wings, and swollen hind femurs. This Brachymeria podagrica is further identified by its distinctive markings. Photo courtesy Graham Montgomery via Bugguide.net. |
The species of chalcid wasp my homeowner encountered "swarming" in her attic this spring appeared identical to other similar wasp pictures I've received recently. These turned out to be Brachymeria podagrica, a parasitoid (primarily) of flies. Their presence indoors suggests that the source could have been a dead animal full of fly larvae somewhere in the home--a theory backed up in this case by the homeowner's report of a foul stench several days before the little wasps appeared in the attic. Likely they were drawn to the smell of the carcass in search of their blow fly hosts.
When one, or a few, unusual insects show up overnight in a structure, they are often called "accidental invaders". Accidental invaders are chance occurrences, when an insect or spider accidentally enters through an open door or window, or unsealed crack. Such accidental entries occur on a regular basis in residential accounts, but usually with a variety of arthropods. But when several (or dozens) of the same kind of insect appear inside a home, or when the same insects show up over many days, it usually means something is afoot. Insects always have a story to tell, and they never lie.
Chalcid wasps are not likely to enter an account over and over by accident. If you find chalcids indoors, get a sample and have them identified. Brachymeria podagrica suggests the possibility of wildlife or rodents; however other species of Brachymeria and other species of chalcids are known to parasitize beetle or moth larvae, and might be evidence of a stored product pest infestation.
And remember, if you're ever unsure of the identification of an insect, don't hesitate to bring it to your in-house entomologist (if you have one), or send to your state university or other reputable insect ID authority. And don't just call something strange a "bee" unless you know for sure that it is.
* An interesting discussion of the ichneumon wasp controversy can be found in Stephen Jay Gould's essay on Non-moral Nature in the book Hen's Teeth and Horse's Toes.
