Small brown egg/pupa ID please

calshot · #1 (**permalink**) 01-07-2010, 02:45 PM

This was found in a New Forest (Hampshire) stream whilst kick sampling. When held out of the water it jumped around like a jumping bean! It is approx. 5mm long and has a clear grey/black stripe around the middle.
At first we thought it was a seed but its movement sugests otherwise!
Any help would be great thanks!

triops · #2 (**permalink**) 01-07-2010, 03:56 PM

Hi calshot,

Its the cocoon of a parasitic wasp (Ichneumonidae), probably accidentally in the water. Please keep it if you can(preferably dry!) and post a picture of the wasp when it emerges.

Doc

Mouche · #3 (**permalink**) 11-06-2011, 08:56 AM

Hi!
i found the same pupa in central France (Limousin).
it's alive and kicking and has been in my kitchen for almost 3 weeks.

triops: you say it's a parasitic wasp, do you have any idea of the insect being parasited?

i will definitly post a picture of the beast once it emerges.

triops · #4 (**permalink**) 12-06-2011, 09:21 AM

Hi Mouche,

Host is most likely a moth, but possibly a butterfly. Sorry I can't be more specific.

Mouche · #5 (**permalink**) 13-06-2011, 07:48 PM

Thanks.
i'll update when new development arises!

Mouche · #6 (**permalink**) 03-12-2011, 05:32 PM

well... mine has stopped jumping a while ago. i'm hesitating between taking the risk of having it rote while i'm hoping it's into metamorphosis; and dissecting it with the risk for it to be still alive.
what about yours?