Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Parasites of geometer moth => Eulophidae
Posted by Marion Friedrich on 27-12-2019 21:45
#1
Hello,
in the beginning of June I found a green geometer moth caterpillar with some larvae. On the next day the larvae had multiplied their volume. One day later the inconspicuous threads on the second picture with the larvae had multiplied and covered the larvae and the brown caterpillar now. Some days later the larvae had completely disappeared. I assume the larvae were killed by an entomophagous fungus.
I guess the larvae belong to diptera. Is further ID of superfamily, family or subfamily possible?
Thanks, Marion
Edited by Marion Friedrich on 28-12-2019 22:11
Posted by Marion Friedrich on 27-12-2019 21:46
#2
next day
Edited by Marion Friedrich on 27-12-2019 21:47
Posted by eklans on 28-12-2019 10:45
#3
Hi Marion, very interesting images and I've never seen similar parasites.
Have you checked chalcid wasps Eulophidae? There's an image in the Italian Wikipedia https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eulophidae showing fairly resembling larvae.
Eric
Posted by Marion Friedrich on 28-12-2019 22:08
#4
Thank you very much Eric.
Eulophidae looks very good.
Maybe the larvae belong to the genus Euplectrus. The members of this genus are ectoparasites of caterpillars.
https://www.nhm.a...Euplectrus
https://en.wikipe...Euplectrus
The fungus theory might be wrong. Also the larvae can spin communal cocoons around the host. That was my first thought that I gave up again because I couldn't find any adults. But, maybe the tiny wasps managed to escape.
Marion
Posted by Marion Friedrich on 30-12-2019 22:01
#6
Thanks, Eric.
I wish you and all forum members a Happy and Prosperious New Year 2020!
Marion
Posted by Heraty on 18-02-2023 22:07
#7
Dear Marion, I would like to use this picture of the Euplectrus larvae (posted 27-12-2019) in a book on the Chalcidoidea of the World through CABI (a non-profit but commercial publisher). If you would be willing to let me use it, could you please email me at heraty@ucr.edu. Thanks, John Heraty, University of California, Riverside.