Spider and parasite

[alfbranch]

Here are some shots from Friday on a nature reserve. This is a spider with what I think is a parasitic wasp larvae on it.

Parasite on spider1- by Alf Branch, on Flickr

Parasite on spider2- by Alf Branch, on Flickr

Parasite on spider3- by Alf Branch, on Flickr

What do you think?

 

[Kodiak Qc]

•


FWIK, the many wasps using that strategy all lay an egg
on the pray and hide the whole thing to protect both the
egg and its food supply.

I will welcome any correction on this…

 

[alfbranch]

•


FWIK, the many wasps using that strategy all lay an egg
on the pray and hide the whole thing to protect both the
egg and its food supply.

I will welcome any correction on this…

Well Daniel that is correct for many species but this species is different I have beeb told is possibly the larva of an ichneunonid, subfamily Pimplinae. It seems that the parasite manipulate hosts behaviour.

http://jeb.biologists.org/content/218/15/2326

I have shot this before at an earlier stage this was suggested as Polysphincta tuberosa

Spider with possible parasite by Alf Branch, on Flickr

 

[alfbranch]

Here is a wasp I shot a short distance from the parasited spider. This is possibly Polysphincta tuberosa the adult form of the larva on the spider

Parasitic wasp 1- by Alf Branch, on Flickr

Parasitic wasp 2- by Alf Branch, on Flickr

 

[Kodiak Qc]

but this species is different

Thank you so much for that Alf…
like to go to bed less an idiot than the day before!


Great wasp… btw!

 

[alfbranch]

Thank you so much for that Alf…
like to go to bed less an idiot than the day before!


Great wasp… btw!

Thanks Kodiak and glad to help with the info

 

[davholla]

A new one for me, nice photos and a great unusual find.

 

[alfbranch]

A new one for me, nice photos and a great unusual find.

Thanks David

 

[GardenersHelper]

That's a great find Alf, and nicely documented. Fascinating information and visuals.

Very nice images of the wasp too.

 

[alfbranch]

That's a great find Alf, and nicely documented. Fascinating information and visuals.

Very nice images of the wasp too.

Thanks Nick
It is good to show things that people have not seen before.

 

[Tintin124]

Amazing Alf what a great find

 

[alfbranch]

Amazing Alf what a great find

Thanks Bryn