Adrian Jones' photos with the keyword: Ladybird Dinocampus coccinellae

Ladybird and Dinocampus coccinellae cocoon

18 May 2012 225
I found several more ladybirds today that had played host to larvae of the parasitic wasp Dinocampus coccinellae, here a ladybird, that is still alive, sits on the cocoon of the wasp, the larva of which fed inside the ladybird until mature. The larva spins its cocoon under the unfortunate ladybird, the ladybird providing cover and shelter for the parasites coccon until the wasp hatches and the cycle begins once again. Natural light and uncropped.