| 1402131 |
paper wasps |
Polistes spp. |
Several species of paper wasps search out and kill small hornworms and other tobacco pests. The wasps roll parts of the worms into balls, fly them to their nest, and feed them to their young. Research in the early 1960’s showed the provision of nesting sites near tobacco fields reduced numbers of hornworms and leaf loss. Most people recognize these beneficials as the familiar "stinging" wasps which build paper nests or combs under the eaves of buildings and in dense vegetation. |
| 1402139 |
red-tailed wasp |
Cardiochiles nigriceps |
These small wasps are parasites of budworms. They are about 3/8 inch long. Although the wings and front portion of these wasps are black and only the abdomen and hind legs are red, they appear red in color. Red-tail wasps are often seen hovering over tobacco buds or flowers in search of small budworm larvae. Once a female finds a larva, she inserts an egg into its body. The parasitized budworm will look normal and continue to develop to the 4th or 5th stage before it prematurely pupates and dies. |
| 1402140 |
red-tailed wasp |
Cardiochiles nigriceps |
These small wasps are parasites of budworms. They are about 3/8 inch long. Although the wings and front portion of these wasps are black and only the abdomen and hind legs are red, they appear red in color. Red-tail wasps are often seen hovering over tobacco buds or flowers in search of small budworm larvae. Once a female finds a larva, she inserts an egg into its body. The parasitized budworm will look normal and continue to develop to the 4th or 5th stage before it prematurely pupates and dies. |
| 5367963 |
paper wasps |
Polistes spp. |
Adult on tobacco plant, feeding on tobacco hornworm larva |
| 5379935 |
mud-dauber |
Tachytes spp. |
in North Carolina Department of Agriculture tobacco field |
| 5379966 |
paper wasp |
Polistes fuscatus |
|
| 1440135 |
Braconid wasp |
Cotesia congregata |
The braconid wasp an important parasite of the tobacco hornworm. The larval stage is a small, white legless grub that develops inside the hornworm. Parasitized hornworms are easily recognized after the wasp larvae spin their white football- shaped cocoons. When the parasite becomes an adult, it leaves through an opening in the end of the cocoon and searches for other hornworms. By late summer 90% or more of the hornworm found on tobacco may be parasitized. Hornworms with cocoons may live for several days but do not feed. Insecticides should not be applied if parasitized hornworms are abundant in the field. |
| 1402132 |
paper wasps |
Polistes spp. |
Several species of paper wasps search out and kill small hornworms and other tobacco pests. The wasps roll parts of the worms into balls, fly them to their nest, and feed them to their young. Research in the early 1960’s showed the provision of nesting sites near tobacco fields reduced numbers of hornworms and leaf loss. Most people recognize these beneficials as the familiar "stinging" wasps which build paper nests or combs under the eaves of buildings and in dense vegetation. |
