Ladybird behaviour

[Johnny81]

Just snapped this in the garden. What is the substance/thing under the 7-spot? Larvae? I thought they just laid eggs? Probably a silly question

[Klaas Reißmann]

This ladybird is dead. It was killed by a Braconidae, that emerged from the underside and pupated within a kind of cocoon. that's what you can see under the ladybird.

Regards
Klaas

[Johnny81]

Ahhh a parasitoid, interesting thanks Klaas.

[Paul mabbott]

As Klaas say, a braconid wasp, most likely Dinocampus coccinellae. There seem to be quite a few of them turning up this year and predating quite early. They mostly effect the 7-spot but are found on other species - it's particularly interesting to hear of predation of Harmonia axyridis, the 'harlequin ladybird'.

[Anzu]

Strange, I took a photo just like this 2 days ago and didn't realise until now that the ladybird was dead, interesting

[Johnny81]

"The insect death forum" Great photo Anzu!

Interesting Paul that they are also parasitizing harlequins. Do you think they may help to control numbers, or probably barely scratch the surface!

Just found a paper: http://www.springerlink.com/content/185mpg8216640u17/

[triops]

Dinocampus is the only insect I've ever heard described as "evil"!
When the larva is ready to emerge it cuts the ladybird's leg nerves and spins a cocoon to keep the live but paralysed ladybird in place. This means the ladybird stays alive and continues to "reflex bleed" from the leg joints, producing drops of very bad tasting blood, usually used as a defence against predators, but in this case to defend Dinocampus. The paralysed ladybird eventually dies from starvation. To investigate the efficiency of the blood as a repellent, next time a ladybird makes tiny drops of blood on your hand, taste a tiny amount. It is guaranteed you will never do it again! (or get someone else to do it!)

[Anzu]

Originally Posted by triops

Dinocampus is the only insect I've ever heard described as "evil"!
When the larva is ready to emerge it cuts the ladybird's leg nerves and spins a cocoon to keep the live but paralysed ladybird in place. This means the ladybird stays alive and continues to "reflex bleed" from the leg joints, producing drops of very bad tasting blood, usually used as a defence against predators, but in this case to defend Dinocampus. The paralysed ladybird eventually dies from starvation. To investigate the efficiency of the blood as a repellent, next time a ladybird makes tiny drops of blood on your hand, taste a tiny amount. It is guaranteed you will never do it again! (or get someone else to do it!)

Crikey I'm going to have nightmares tonight! Is the blood that smelly orange stuff they leave on you sometimes?

[Klaas Reißmann]

Hi,

I know of a research of a German student, searching for parasitoids and deseases in Harmonia axyridis and there seem to be quite a lot of them. Most of all it's some worms infesting Harmonia axyridis, but Braconidae and some Diptera-species seem to attac H. axyridis as well. I did not read it yet and I think it might be not ready yet, but I should ask for it, because it is more than interessting to kow.

Regards
Klaas

[Bruce Williams]

John - You might find these pics from the WAB Gallery interesting:



Bruce