Parasitic encounter: I spotted some Sawfly larvae on a bush last week then saw a tiny suspicious looking wasp/fly of some sort lurking with clear intent. It stalked one of the larvae.

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Parasitic encounter

Oct 8, 2017 10:13:22 #

davids999 Loc: Edinburgh, UK

I spotted some Sawfly larvae on a bush last week then saw a tiny suspicious looking wasp/fly of some sort lurking with clear intent. It stalked one of the larvae. Very hard to get everything on the same plane. The larva was trying to avoid the parasite's attentions by thrashing it's tail about. The larva was about 1.5cm long (half inch).

(Download)

Oct 8, 2017 10:26:50 #

rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX

Oct 8, 2017 10:54:28 #

relbugman Loc: MD/FL/CA/SC

A great series of parasitic behavior, very difficult to catch. Your 3rd shot shows the wing venation exceptionally well, seems to be a braconid wasp, a very large family of insect or spider parasites, but I can't go further with ID -- need an expert.

Oct 8, 2017 10:59:10 #

davids999 Loc: Edinburgh, UK

rwilson1942 wrote:

Thanks Rick

Oct 8, 2017 11:00:37 #

davids999 Loc: Edinburgh, UK

relbugman wrote:

Thanks relbugman. Just Googled braconid wasp and I see what you mean, a big subject!

Oct 8, 2017 11:15:08 #

tinusbum Loc: east texas

good find,i would save the cat and shoot the full cycle, until the eggs are hatched out

Oct 8, 2017 11:57:37 #

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Nice series. Would have made a wonderful opportunity for stacking.

Oct 8, 2017 16:25:48 #

EnglishBrenda Loc: Kent, England

Wonderful caught sequence David, crisp and sharp.

Oct 8, 2017 19:48:03 #

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

Excellent sequence. That 4th one is terrific, especially.

Oct 9, 2017 06:28:56 #

RatGMAN Loc: SE Pennsylvania

Very good set. I'm with Mark, number 4 is really good.

Oct 9, 2017 12:27:46 #

davids999 Loc: Edinburgh, UK

tinusbum wrote:

good find,i would save the cat and shoot the full cycle, until the eggs are hatched out

Thanks tinusbum. I should remember to carry something to collect stuff in.

Oct 9, 2017 12:28:06 #

davids999 Loc: Edinburgh, UK

kpmac wrote:

Nice series. Would have made a wonderful opportunity for stacking.

Thanks kpmac

Oct 9, 2017 12:28:20 #

davids999 Loc: Edinburgh, UK

EnglishBrenda wrote:

Wonderful caught sequence David, crisp and sharp.

Thanks Brenda

Oct 9, 2017 12:28:35 #

davids999 Loc: Edinburgh, UK

Mark Sturtevant wrote:

Excellent sequence. That 4th one is terrific, especially.

Thanks Mark

Oct 9, 2017 12:28:57 #

davids999 Loc: Edinburgh, UK

RatGMAN wrote:

Very good set. I'm with Mark, number 4 is really good.

Thanks RatGMAN

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