This week features two species of parasitic wasp developing on the same host; this phenomenon is known as superparasitism. Both of the parasitic wasps belong to the family Eulophidae (Chalcidoidea), which often feed on their hosts externally as illustrated by the larvae on the outside of the caterpillar. These wasps also pupated outside of the host. In this case they pupated on a leaf. If you look closely you can see the form of the pupae in the pupal skin left behind.
Superparasitism creates a competitive environment between species. In some polyembryonic species (in which one egg produces many clonal indiviudals), a few clones do not develop into adulthood. They instead become "cruisers" that seek out competing parasitic species and kill them for the benefit of their sibling clones.
Photo of caterpillar by Joshua Benoit.
All specimens collected by Joshua Benoit
No comments:
Post a Comment