Parasitised 7-spot ladybird (part 2)

[Bruce Williams]

Stony Stratford, Bucks.

I decided to post this as a new thread to improve the likelihood of interested members realising that there is new information available. However here's the link for anyone who wishes to catch up on part 1: Parasitised 7-spot ladybird

As promised I collected the parasitised ladybird this afternoon. I've taken several stacked images of the ladybird and pupa together and of the pupa and ladybird alone. I was hoping to see evidence of where the larva exited the ladybird but could find no evidence that I recognised. I'll post a photo of the ladybird later.

Here's a pic showing the pupa and ladybird together showing the pupa case and lid:



Bruce

[Bruce Williams]

Image of the pupal case. I was really impressed by the perfectly circular cut between lid and base. You can imagine the wasp spinning slowly in side the case as it cut its way out.



Bruce