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Aphid mummy

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33.135, -117.034

Field Notes

Description:

aphid mummy - parasitized by an aphidiine braconid

Habitat:

Petunia in the backyard

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (4)
Mark Ridgway
I wasn't counting the flower... better make it a triple spotting :)
CindyBinghamKeiser
I got a double! Thank you for the great information, John! Argy, I agree but only because the flower is so much bigger ;)
Mark Ridgway
Wow there we go... boring and fat equals double spotting. Love it thanks John. It looks good on the petunia.
John La Salle
Yes - it is an aphid. When they look like that it is probably because there is a parasitic wasp developing away within the aphid - producing this "mummified appearance". If you google "aphid mummy" you will get similar images - often with a hole chewed in the aphid where the wasp has emerged. If you toss it in a jar, don't be surprised if a wasp pops out soon.

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Southern California Wildlife
Mission
Arthropods parasitised by other arthropods

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Photographed
PublishedApril 18, 2013

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