Knowledgebase
Tiny wasp-like insects in my house #874335
Asked June 23, 2024, 7:40 PM EDT
Montgomery County Maryland
Expert Response
Thank you for the clear photos, especially the close up photo from a microscope. Very helpful!
These insects do appear to be wasps that belong to the family Torymidae. Most species in this family are parasitic and parasitize gall forming insects, but some species could also parasitize larvae or eggs of caterpillars, bees, wasps, beetles, or flies.
The long appendage out the back of the wasp, that looks like a stinger, is their egg laying appendage (ovipositor). The good news is these parasitic wasps do not sting people or pets, they are only interested in finding a mate or an insect host to lay their eggs in.
In regards to why they may be in your house, it is possible your kitchen window is near their host sites. If there is any plant material outside your window, they may be coming from plant galls or if there are any mason bees or another type of bee nest, they could be emerging from bee hosts within, near, or outside the kitchen window.
They are not an indoor pest, so regardless they are inside your house accidentally. If you are curious you could look around for any signs of plant galls and/or bee nesting activity around your home to see if you can find the source.
A very cool find!
Dear Mary, here's the response to your question:
Thank you for the clear photos, especially the close up photo from a microscope. Very helpful!
These insects do appear to be wasps that belong to the family Torymidae. Most species in this family are parasitic and parasitize gall forming insects, but some species could also parasitize larvae or eggs of caterpillars, bees, wasps, beetles, or flies.
The long appendage out the back of the wasp, that looks like a stinger, is their egg laying appendage (ovipositor). The good news is these parasitic wasps do not sting people or pets, they are only interested in finding a mate or an insect host to lay their eggs in.
In regards to why they may be in your house, it is possible your kitchen window is near their host sites. If there is any plant material outside your window, they may be coming from plant galls or if there are any mason bees or another type of bee nest, they could be emerging from bee hosts within, near, or outside the kitchen window.
They are not an indoor pest, so regardless they are inside your house accidentally. If you are curious you could look around for any signs of plant galls and/or bee nesting activity around your home to see if you can find the source.
A very cool find!
Need to reply to the expert? Click the link below, or simply reply to this email.
Click here to view #0144253
Answered by University of Maryland Extension faculty. For more information on a variety of yard and garden topics, visit the HGIC program web page and blog, Maryland Grows.
We hope this response has sufficiently answered your questions. If not, please do not send another email. Instead, reply to this email or login to your account for a complete archive of all your support requests and responses.
