Something's not quite right with this ladybird

[nutmeg]

This ladybird was under a willow leaf in the garden this afternoon. It was barely moving and had a cocoon beneath its body. I suspect it might be parasitised - but I'm not sure. I'm hoping someone here can shed some light on what's happening:

[Deer Stalker]

Yep, definatly been parisitised. Probably by a Tachinid fly or a wasp.

[honeybee]

Originally Posted by Deer Stalker

Yep, definatly been parisitised. Probably by a Tachinid fly or a wasp.

Poor thing, what will happen to it DS? It surely can't move with that attached.

[Deer Stalker]

Hi Honeybee.

It won't be moving for much longer!

I think I remember hearing once that the larva inside the Ladybird eats all the non-essential organs first, then moves on to the more important stuff, & finaly imobilises it so it can pupate outside its host & still have the protective warning colouration.

Clever stuff, nature.

[honeybee]

Originally Posted by Deer Stalker

Hi Honeybee.

It won't be moving for much longer!

I think I remember hearing once that the larva inside the Ladybird eats all the non-essential organs first, then moves on to the more important stuff, & finaly imobilises it so it can pupate outside its host & still have the protective warning colouration.

Clever stuff, nature.

uuuurrgh!

Fascinating all the same!

why can't it get the harlequins!

[nutmeg]

Thanks Deer Stalker . I wish now that I'd put ladybird and cocoon in a pot to see what emerges eventually. Perhaps I'll be able to find it again tomorrow.

[Ian Gray]

gruesome cracking shot, great detail.


Ian

[Misanthrope]

I found one of these on a foxglove leaf about a week ago. That was also a 7-spot ladybird. I mentioned it on a forum and Paul Mabbott replied that Dinocampus coccinellae, a braconid wasp, was probably responsible. It also goes under the older name of Perilitus coccinellae.
There's more about this in 'Ladybirds' by Majerus and Kearns.

As Deerstalker wrote, the wasp larva immobilises the ladybird and emerges to spin a cocoon between the legs of the unfortunate ladybird which is alive but paralysed, and either starves or dies from infection.

I kept mine and I'm hoping to see the wasp. It should have appeared in a week or so and I'm beginning to wonder whether the larva has died.

[Misanthrope]

The parasitic wasp emerged late this morning!

[nutmeg]

So it didn't die! Is it Dinocampus coccinellae? Have you photographed it?