Mud dauber larva parasites

Tachinid

Interesting question. And there is a catalog of Tach and parasitiod prey relationships. I just don't own it yet. My other questions would be. Does the fly adult lay its eggs on the wasp? In the chambers? On the spiders in transit? Do the fly maggots prey on the wasp pupae or on the spiders in the chambers or both?

Excellent series.

… Herschel Raney, 27 December, 2006 - 5:55pm

Thanks

Herschel.
The maggots were eating the last of the spiders, only a few legs and body parts were left. I'm guessing the maggots first consumed the wasp pupa then the remaining spiders.

… Jeff Hollenbeck, 27 December, 2006 - 6:14pm

Wasp

Was this the globular nest or the pipe organ type? I find not a single parasite/prey record for either wasp species in the entire catalog for the Tachs. I will send a note to Dr. O'Hara.

… Herschel Raney, 5 January, 2007 - 11:54am

Thanks

Herschel. The nests belong to both Chalybion and Sceliphron, although the former seems to be the majority. I also believe these were from a Chalybion cell, but not positive.

… Jeff Hollenbeck, 5 January, 2007 - 11:56pm

Wasp

Dr. O'Hara believes this is one of the Sarcophagidae in the subfamily Miltogramminae and not a Tachinid. Looked large for that group that I have seen but he would definitely know. He states that all the Tachs are endoparasitic as opposed to this group. He gave me a Sarcophagidae expert to contact as well.

… Herschel Raney, 5 January, 2007 - 3:48pm