Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Ok the guilty party ID
Posted by LordV on 19-07-2006 07:50
#1
Following on from this thread http://www.diptera.info/forum/viewthread.php?forum_id=6&thread_id=2563
ID anyone ?
Brian V.
Ah a suspicious character, wasp about 2.5mm long
Totally ignored by a guard/nurse ant even though it's body position is a bit of a giveaway
Ah- the evidence
Edited by LordV on 19-07-2006 07:52
Posted by Jan Willem on 19-07-2006 08:41
#2
Hi Brian,
Paul is right, Braconidae - Aphidiinae.
Jan Willem
Posted by Paul Beuk on 19-07-2006 08:53
#3
Not anticipating a new thread, I posted some of my (far inferior) images here:
http://www.dipter...post_10734
Posted by Tony Irwin on 19-07-2006 08:57
#4
I note that the picture with the ant shows that the braconid is not actually ovipositing. Is it possible that the pose makes the braconid look more like an alate aphid than it would otherwise? Simple, unsophisticated behavioural mimicry?
Or should I have got to bed earlier last night?;)
Posted by LordV on 19-07-2006 09:35
#5
Tony Irwin wrote:
I note that the picture with the ant shows that the braconid is not actually ovipositing. Is it possible that the pose makes the braconid look more like an alate aphid than it would otherwise? Simple, unsophisticated behavioural mimicry?
Or should I have got to bed earlier last night?;)
Tony- you may be right but I did notice in some other pics that the wasp seemed to get into ovipositing position and then backed into the aphid victim.
Brian V.
Posted by ChrisR on 19-07-2006 11:10
#6
I agree on the aphidiine braconid ID ... I once saw the same behaviour on my sweet peas ... but sadly, I didn't have such a superb camera setup to make such jaw-droppingly good photos... well done Brian :)
Posted by Dmitry Gavryushin on 19-07-2006 14:27
#7
Great pictures Brian! :)