Aphid Parasitisation!

Jason Green · #1 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 10:35 PM

Hi all,

Today whilst searching for any insects whatsoever, I came across this dead aphid... on a parasite's cushion. Any idea of the culprit?

10/12/2009

Longitudinal, dorsal and head-on

Funny, it was in an open-fronted outbuilding... not the regular sort of haunt for either species, but there they must have been when the aphid was parasitised. A chance encounter I presume.

Take care,

Jason

JRsbugs · #2 (**permalink**) 11-12-2009, 12:20 AM

Hi Jason,

It must be the season for those as I found one too a few days ago! Mine was on the back of an Ivy leaf, I saw the shadow when the sun shone through the leaf.

I can't remember what type of wasp does this but it was mentioned somewhere not too long ago. I wonder if yours walked to it's position later, I don't think they would be instantly killed by the parasite.

Janet

Tiggrx · #3 (**permalink**) 11-12-2009, 06:25 AM

There is some more info on this thread

Aphid from space

Jason Green · #4 (**permalink**) 11-12-2009, 07:31 AM

Thanks - feel free to post a photo if you wish, Janet

Thanks Aaron, looks like it might be the work of Discritulus planiceps then

Bruce Williams · #5 (**permalink**) 11-12-2009, 07:47 AM

Thanks Jason this one's new to me. Just added it to my "Things to photograph 2010" list

.

Bruce

Jason Green · #6 (**permalink**) 11-12-2009, 07:52 AM

Thanks Bruce, good luck!

jaguarondi · #7 (**permalink**) 11-12-2009, 09:47 AM

Praon species produce these plates underneath the aphid -
File:Aphid.with.Praon.3.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

Jason Green · #8 (**permalink**) 11-12-2009, 01:22 PM

Thanks Jag - so what is more likely, Praon over Discritulus then? Fascinating stuff, isn't it.

JRsbugs · #9 (**permalink**) 11-12-2009, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Green

Thanks - feel free to post a photo if you wish, Janet

Thanks Aaron, looks like it might be the work of Discritulus planiceps then

I think this is correct, the aphid I have fits the description. I have posted on Brian's (Lord V) thread with too. I'll upload my pics.

Rothamsted Insect Survey

JRsbugs · #10 (**permalink**) 11-12-2009, 04:05 PM

I got pics of the mummy first on the 5th December but these are from the 9th.

The likely victim, I don't see the long tubercules (but visible on the green one) but it looks like the same aphid as the mummy. Both taken on the same day 12th October, one in the morning the other in the afternoon. I had seen a very big one on the 10th October on a Camellia leaf but didn't get very good pics as it was about to fly.