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Dennis Kunkel's Microscopic World 2001 Calendar

Aphid wasps are specific endoparasites of aphids. Like many other wasps, aphid wasps play an important role in controlling pest insect populations. During part of their reproductive cycle, aphid wasps capture and lay eggs within the bodies of live aphids. When aphid wasp larvae hatch from the eggs, they parasitize the aphid hosts for food. As the aphid wasp larvae develop into adults, the aphids die slowly as they are consumed from the inside out. Eventually, the adult aphid wasps leave the dead aphids, leaving hollow aphid mummies behind.