Unknown cocoon and Wasp - Mesochorus

Moved

… Charley Eiseman, 10 October, 2013 - 2:07pm

Moved

… v belov, 10 October, 2013 - 2:04pm

Hyper

The cocoons are those of a macrocentrine braconid, perhaps Cotesia, but the wasps are hyperparasitoids of the ichneumonid genus Mesochorus. The one in this photo is a male, with claspers that are rod-like. In the photo with multiple adults, there are definitely three females, but the focus on the other two isn't crisp enough for discerning the sex.

Mesochorus females oviposit into the egg or early larva of the primary parasitoid, which is inside the primary host.

… Bob Carlson, 2 October, 2013 - 8:32pm

perhaps you meant microgastrine

Cotesia is a genus within Microgastrinae, rather than Macrocentrinae.
That diamond-shaped areolet really shows up in this pic of the mesochorine!

… Joe, 2 October, 2013 - 9:18pm

Definitely

Definitely meant microgastrine and wasn't aware that I had actually typed macrocentrine. Getting too old!

… Bob Carlson, 2 October, 2013 - 9:29pm

Wasp

There were about thirty came out of the cocoon.

… Lisa I., 2 October, 2013 - 10:45pm

Agglomeration

It is an agglomeration of microgastrine cocoons, with one adult, either a microgastrine or a Mesochorus emerging from each. Of course, it is possible that other hypers, such as chalcidoids or phygadeuontine ichneumonids, could also have attacked the microgastrines or the Mesochorus. Parasitization of the latter constitutes tertiary parasitism. Its a jungle out there. Regarding the agglomeration, I can only suppose it might one of the many strategies for avoidance of hyperparasitism by cocoon parasitoids. Obviously, it is of no help in the case of Mesochorus, and, ironically, if it tends to protect the microgastrines from cocoon parasitoids, it would also for the Mesochorus.

… Bob Carlson, 3 October, 2013 - 11:42am

Wasp

Thank you very much for the information. It is a jungle!

… Lisa I., 3 October, 2013 - 11:51am

And a fascinating one...

Yes, the ecology of parasitism, hyperparasitism, multiparasitism, gregarious parasitism, and superparasitism is absolutely fascinating. When you get to the point at which you can recognize a hyperparasite, like Mesochorus, you realize that you are becoming an astute voyeur of the natural world, and the natural (evolutionary) history of this world - the history of how these relationships between and among species have unfolded.

… Joe, 3 October, 2013 - 6:49pm

wasp

Thanks your very much. I love information!

… Lisa I., 2 October, 2013 - 8:35pm