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A wasp on predatory bug eggs

Scelionidae

Photo by MartinL
Published on Project Noah
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Field Notes

Description:

A cluster of steely black eggs with a rim of lashes to discourage this curious and unwelcome parasitoid visitor.

Reference Links:

Spined Soldier Bug (Podisus maculiventris) | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (50)
MartinL
I've actually been very unclear about which of the two species is the subject of this spotting and it has changed from one to the other.
Mark Ridgway
I notice you have put John's wasp ID on these hemipteran eggs. I think he meant the small wasp to the right.
MartinL
A similar cluster of eggs are bothered by the same type of predatory wasp hare http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/489006005
MartinL
That's fascinating Sckel. There is no free lunch in ecology =)
Sckel
Amazing. I photographed a bug feeding on wasp eggs
MartinL
Thanks for another ID John La Salle
John La Salle
The wasp is a Scelionidae http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scelionidae All are parasitoids in the eggs of other insects.
HemaShah
Absolutely perfect for Valentine's day!!
MartinL
I can find no reference to the american Podisus in Australia and assume these eggs come from the similar Australian species Oechalia schellenbergii or Cermatulus nasalis. Both are from the Subfamily Asopinae.
MartinL
Thanks tibiprada and Smith'sZoo.
MartinL
Yes Ashish. There's lot yet to learn about our tiny parasitic wasps
Ashish
Lovely Macro work... Martin... surely a lesson for everyone...
MartinL
Here is a closely matching image of a cutious wasp http://www.flickr.com/photos/zosterops/5150844866/in/photostream/
MartinL
Thanks Forest Dragon. I suspect the wasp to be a braconid wasp (Parasitoid)
ForestDragon
How very interesting! This is the first time I have seen eggs like that. They remind me of some of the glass beads I work with.
MartinL
Thanks jeanette. Yes Sergio, each spotting is a frozen moment in the life cycles of these creatures and insects usually have several very different stages to study.
Sergio Monteiro
I think that is the next step in my learning process, to breed some bugs and caterpillars.
MartinL
Asergio. I sometimes breed this butterfly by wild collection of their eggs. If I collect late, there may be 95 % predation by Tachinid flies (I think) =( http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/8493993
Sergio Monteiro
I've seen many times wasps wandering around clusters of eggs like this. If they are really parasitic wasps, I wonder how many eggs are laid, so that so many insects reach maturity!
MartinL
http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/13039059
MartinL
I'm glad you enjoyed this image Mayra
MartinL
Another possible culprit for these eggs http://www.flickr.com/photos/jean_hort/2287730022/ http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/8504919
MartinL
These here have hatched http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/10970188
MartinL
Hey, clive, I'm about to show some interest in fungi and I suggest some bugs are cool, besides, THEY like fungi.
Bernadette S
Very cool! I love looking at nature up-close - such awesome patterns!
MartinL
Oechalia schellenbergii Spined Predatory Shield Bug http://www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_stinkbugs/SpinedPredatoryBug.htm
Sergio Monteiro
Sorry, the link is http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/8768015
MartinL
Thanks, and I'm not even sure that the visitor is a wasp and not a fly.
Sergio Monteiro
Martin, I hope you have more luck than miself. I returned to where I spoted this: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/8768015 but I couldn't find it anymore. If you check it, you'll see something unusual: the eggs are ling by a filament (sometimes two). Have you ever seen something like that?
MartinL
Thanks Dana and Leuba. I think you are spot on. Similar bugs to those do occur here but I just haven't done my homework yet.
Mark Ridgway
Incredible find martin. Would love to track this id down. Good shots too.
MartinL
Thanks for your comments everyone.
Maria dB
Another interesting spotting!

Spotted for Missions

Mission
WILD Cities: Urban Biodiversity
Mission
2011 Best Wildlife Photo
Mission
Interaction between different species of Arthropods
Mission
Eggs of the World

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Photographed
PublishedFebruary 1, 2012

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