Braconid wasps

Overview

Atanycolus is a genus of parasitoid wasps belonging to the family Braconidae, which is a diverse family of parasitic wasps known for their ability to control populations of other insects.

They are known to parasitize a variety of host insects, including moths, beetles, and sawflies, by laying their eggs inside the host's body.

The larvae of Atanycolus wasps feed on the host's tissues, eventually killing it, and then emerge from the host's body as adults. Atanycolus wasps are considered to be beneficial insects, as they can help control pest populations in agricultural and forestry settings..

Description

Atanycolus wasps are typically small, measuring between 2 and 5 millimeters in length, and they are often black or brown in color.

According to BugGuide.net, it is "Next to impossible to identify this genus from images alone, however it is one of the more common genera in the subfamily."