Parasitoid/parasitic fly ovipositing in ladybird pupa?

[nutmeg]

This is something I've observed before, but had a go at photographing today. A very small fly appears to be ovipositing in the fresh pupa of a ladybird. Does anyone know any more about this? The pupa didn't appear to be enjoying the experience and kept flapping up and down.

(Apologies for the quality of the photos - all cropped and the fly was really too small for focussing on )

[Bruce Williams]

A fascinating series of photographs nutmeg - thanks for sharing.

I've not witnessed this process myself so really enjoyed your pics. IMO image quality is of secondary importance to the behavioral/scientific value of your pics (and your pics really aren't that bad anyway).

Bruce

[Paul mabbott]

Good photos considering the circumstances! Well done.

The fly actually looks a bit large for the usual endo-parasites of ladybirds in UK - species of Phalacrotophora (most commonly P. fasciata), members of the Tachnidae. I'm perhaps misremembering - I'm sure the dipterists will help!

Can't make out what the ladybird is - doesn't look like a 'harlequin'.

[Kayleigh]

Fascinating to watch Nutmeg, Good pics too.

[nutmeg]

Glad this is of interest I'd love to find out more.

I'm pretty sure it's not a Harlequin pupa - no sign of any spiky bits in the shed larval 'skin'. It's on my weeping birch tree, where 2-spots and cream spots are the other dominant ladybirds - in addition to the Harlequins.

[Paul mabbott]

Originally Posted by nutmeg

Glad this is of interest I'd love to find out more.

I'm pretty sure it's not a Harlequin pupa - no sign of any spiky bits in the shed larval 'skin'. It's on my weeping birch tree, where 2-spots and cream spots are the other dominant ladybirds - in addition to the Harlequins.

I did consider 2-spot/10-spot - that might account for my thinking the fly 'large' when it's the pupa that is 'small'. Small fly larva (look just like very small fishing maggots) will emerge in a few days and pupate immediately, not far from the pupa. You'll probably only get one from each pupa - doesn't take long for the fly to develope (three days?).

I made an error on my last message: Phalacrotophora are members of the Phoridae family (horrid phorids). There is a tachinid which attacks ladybirds but that's an ecto-parasitoid.

[nutmeg]

If it's any help, I tracked down the pupa again (I'd marked the leaf earlier) - it's hardened more now:

[oxycera]

Now that Paul has mentioned Phoridae, I do think that this fly belongs to that family. Don't know any more I'm afraid.

[Paul mabbott]

Look at it on a daily basis and you'll eventually see the larva emerge! If you miss them, you'll have time to catch the pupae. More pictures to come ....

Originally Posted by nutmeg

If it's any help, I tracked down the pupa again (I'd marked the leaf earlier) - it's hardened more now:

[Lord V]

Amazing captures
Brian V.