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
#2
Hi Brian,
Paul is right, Braconidae - Aphidiinae.
Jan Willem
#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
#7
Great pictures Brian!