Wasp laying eggs in psyllid galls (Braconidae (Family) Callibracon sp.)

Error message

Unable to fetch location details at this time.

Photo by MartinL

Published on Project Noah

Zoom

-37.808, 145.368

Field Notes

Description:

Gall forming scale insects produce protective elongated galls but the wasp has a suitably elongated ovipositor.

Habitat:

Galls are sometimes prolific on mature gum trees. The wasps are regular visitors.

Notes:

The last pic taken 24 May 2012 of a suspected developing larva of the wasp.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (13)

MartinL

Jemma, the last two pics are a wasp larva. They are inside many of the galls. It has eaten the psyllid bug and is soon to pupate. The bug looks like this http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/8699877 or this http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/21719027 , http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/11475006

HemaShah

So Martini,if you open the gall up,would you find Wasp eggs and the nymphs of the scale insect inside the gall?

MartinL

Thanks John La Salle for the correction. I agree this is a (family) braconidae wasp but I just saw the long ovipositor and made an assumption. Both however are the same Superfamily Ichneumonoidea - Braconids and Ichneumons

John La Salle

This is a fantastic series of pictures. I think that the wasp is a Braconidae (not Ichneumonidae).

MartinL

I have added a pic taken today of the developing parasitic wasp larva inside the gall.

Matthijs

Very nice .super

Mark Ridgway

I can't imagine the acrobatics required to properly utilise that device.

MartinL

And they come in all sizes=) http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/7935065

ChunXingWong

They can be used in biological pest control.