Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

The video material was awesome to say the least! Wonderful photography.

Yes, these are wasp pupae (not eggs) as correctly identified in the video. The wasp is not closely related to European wasps and the like, belonging to a group called Parasitica (Terebrantia) – small to medium size wasps that parasitize other insects – especially caterpillars. They are incredibly important in maintaining the balance of nature and often manipulated by us buggerologists in biological control projects. There are labs throughout the world that breed such beneficial wasps for use in horticulture etc.
I was studying parasitic wasps when doing the Sirex Woodwasp project – my first CSIRO assignment.

The wasps in the photo you sent are probably in the Family Braconidae of which there are 800 different species in Australia!
Your colleague should encourage these efficacious insects – they are doing a great job in his hydroponics patch keeping caterpillars at bay – don’t use pesticides!!

Do you remember that caterpillar we collected from your garden a while ago? It subsequently ‘produced’ hundreds of tiny parasitic braconid wasps – I keep meaning to show you when you visit Canberra – still have the original jar of specimens!

Thanks for the opportunity to see the material.

Philip