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Jewel Wasp

Jewel Wasp

Jewel wasp: Nasonia vitripennis

  • Habitat: found near decaying tissue
  • Size: 5mm
  • Predators/Prey: These wasps feed on specific hosts, such as flies or cockroaches.
  • Population: life cycle 14 days, adults can live several months.
  • Interesting facts: These wasps are very beneficial, since they prey on flies and cockroaches. They lay their eggs inside the living host; then, the eggs hatch inside, eat the host from the inside out, then emerge as adults!

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Jewel Wasp

This is the original scanning electron microscope (SEM) image before it was colorized.

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