Diptera.info :: Identification queries :: Other insects, spiders, etc.
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 Parasites of geometer moth => Eulophidae
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| Marion Friedrich |
Posted on 27-12-2019 21:45
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Member Location: Saxony, Germany Posts: 1157 Joined: 07.10.09 |
Hello, in the beginning of June I found a green geometer moth caterpillar with some larvae. On the next day the larvae had multiplied their volume. One day later the inconspicuous threads on the second picture with the larvae had multiplied and covered the larvae and the brown caterpillar now. Some days later the larvae had completely disappeared. I assume the larvae were killed by an entomophagous fungus. I guess the larvae belong to diptera. Is further ID of superfamily, family or subfamily possible? Thanks, Marion Marion Friedrich attached the following image:  [137.69Kb] Edited by Marion Friedrich on 28-12-2019 22:11 |
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| Marion Friedrich |
Posted on 27-12-2019 21:46
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Member Location: Saxony, Germany Posts: 1157 Joined: 07.10.09 |
next day
Marion Friedrich attached the following image:  [186.1Kb] Edited by Marion Friedrich on 27-12-2019 21:47 |
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| eklans |
Posted on 28-12-2019 10:45
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Member Location: Franconia, Germany Posts: 3882 Joined: 11.11.18 |
Hi Marion, very interesting images and I've never seen similar parasites. Have you checked chalcid wasps Eulophidae? There's an image in the Italian Wikipedia https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eulophidae showing fairly resembling larvae. Eric |
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| Marion Friedrich |
Posted on 28-12-2019 22:08
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Member Location: Saxony, Germany Posts: 1157 Joined: 07.10.09 |
Thank you very much Eric. Eulophidae looks very good. Maybe the larvae belong to the genus Euplectrus. The members of this genus are ectoparasites of caterpillars. https://www.nhm.a...Euplectrus https://en.wikipe...Euplectrus The fungus theory might be wrong. Also the larvae can spin communal cocoons around the host. That was my first thought that I gave up again because I couldn't find any adults. But, maybe the tiny wasps managed to escape. Marion |
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| eklans |
Posted on 29-12-2019 12:45
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Member Location: Franconia, Germany Posts: 3882 Joined: 11.11.18 |
Hi Marion, I totally agree with Euplectrus! https://bugguide....iew/898552 Happy New Year! Eric |
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| Marion Friedrich |
Posted on 30-12-2019 22:01
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Member Location: Saxony, Germany Posts: 1157 Joined: 07.10.09 |
Thanks, Eric. I wish you and all forum members a Happy and Prosperious New Year 2020! Marion |
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| Heraty |
Posted on 18-02-2023 22:07
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Member Location: Posts: 1 Joined: 17.02.23 |
Dear Marion, I would like to use this picture of the Euplectrus larvae (posted 27-12-2019) in a book on the Chalcidoidea of the World through CABI (a non-profit but commercial publisher). If you would be willing to let me use it, could you please email me at heraty@ucr.edu. Thanks, John Heraty, University of California, Riverside. |
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