Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Injured wasp or parasite

Posted by buggub on 22-08-2014 13:18
#1
Hi,

I found this strange looking formation on a wasp. Is this some kind of parasite or injury?
Found in Slovenia.

Thanks!

Posted by John Carr on 22-08-2014 13:51
#2
The host looks like Vespidae, so the parasite should be Strepsiptera, Stylopidae, Xeninae.

Posted by Marc T on 22-08-2014 17:56
#3
Hi,

I think it's Xenos vesparum on a Polistes sp.
But I'm not sure, if are there any other stylopids found on Vespidae!?

Marc

Posted by John Carr on 22-08-2014 22:33
#4
In North America we have several species on Polistes. Europe has at least two, Xenos vesparum and minor, according to the database at http://rameau.snv...card=hosts.

Other species of Stylopidae are found on other Vespidae, but the wasp does look like Polistes dominula or gallica.