Possibly an egg case of a parasitic wasp on a tussock moth cocoon. photo

larose forest photos | all galleries >> INSECTS (INSECTA) (28 Galleries) >> Eggs, Exuviae, Pupal Cases and Other Signs of Insects and Spiders > Possibly an egg case of a parasitic wasp on a tussock moth cocoon.

previous | next


12-SEP-2010	Christine Hanrahan

Possibly an egg case of a parasitic wasp on a tussock moth cocoon.

I found several of these egg cases close together. Initially I thought this was an egg case of a Tussock moth (Lymantriidae), because some species in this group will lay their eggs on top of the coccoon and cover them with a white foamy secretion which hardens, as in this photo. However, thanks to PBaser, Bob B. it seems that this mass could instead by the egg case of a parasitic wasp.

Canon PowerShot SX20 IS
1/60s f/4.5 at 5.0mm iso200 hide exif

Full EXIF Info
Date/Time	12-Sep-2010 13:58:48
Make	Canon
Model	Canon PowerShot SX20 IS
Flash Used	No
Focal Length	5 mm
Exposure Time	1/60 sec
Aperture	f/4.5
ISO Equivalent	200
Exposure Bias
White Balance
Metering Mode	matrix (5)
JPEG Quality
Exposure Program
Focus Distance

other sizes: small medium large original auto

previous | next

Bob B.		31-Mar-2011 20:59
I believe this whitish mass may be the pupae of parasitic wasps, likely Braconidae, that emerged from the pupal case (brown) and pupated outside of it. Small adult wasps emerge from the mass.

Carol Rollins		31-Dec-2010 05:15
Excellent find and shot, Christine. ~

Stephanie		13-Dec-2010 14:16
Fascinating! V

Julie Tremblay		13-Dec-2010 10:53
Thank you for sharing. Very interesting information.

slhoornstra		13-Dec-2010 09:53
A fantastic macro. These egg cases must be tiny!! V

Carl Carbone		13-Dec-2010 04:25
Very interesting! I've never seen one before. Nice find.

Hank Vander Velde		13-Dec-2010 03:18
Nice find and image Christine.

Commenting on this page requires a PBase account.
Please login or register.