parasitized orb weaver

Moved

Moved from Pimplinae.

… Bob Carlson, 17 November, 2009 - 3:03pm

Moved

Moved from Small-headed Flies.

… Charley Eiseman, 2 October, 2008 - 11:05am

Moved

Moved from Orb Weavers. See comments on this image:

… Charley Eiseman, 22 September, 2008 - 7:10pm

paragraph from Dr BJ Kaston, pg 39

In the majority of cases these are the larvae of pimpline ichneumonids of the genus Polysphincta, which have been extensively studied by Nielsen (1923 to 1937). In this group a decided preference is shown for web building spiders... The larva may live for several months, growing slowly. During the last 24 hours of its existence on the spider it suddenly grows to an enormous size, at the expense of the host's tissues.

… john and jane balaban, 21 November, 2004 - 5:30pm

The larval development of Acr

The larval development of Acroceridae is very similar to that described for the ichneumons. They burrow into the booklung, feed briefly and molt. The larva then feeds on the hemolymph of the spider just enough to maintain its metabolism. When the spider reaches maturity the larva suddenly kicks into gear (thought to be triggered by adult hormone development of the spider) and quickly consumes the spider within a 24 hour period. On some of the larger spiders it can take a little longer. Some spider species produce protective webbing as they prepare to molt to adult. The parasite is thus able to pupate within this protective webbing. There are large glands in the thorax of the adult that produce enzymes to dissolve the webbing and allow the fly to emerge after pupation.

… Dennis Haines, 23 September, 2008 - 11:48am

Yuck

This photo looks similar. I found it on this page. Scroll down to the bottom and it describes the picture as "Wolf spider...with ichneumonid wasp larva feeding on it."

… Mike Boone, 6 September, 2004 - 6:08pm

Also...

Just noticed you had posted this to orb weavers as well. Let's just post the image once (I deleted the other one). I think ID request is the better spot, and we can always move it later without recreating it and losing comments.

… Troy Bartlett, 3 September, 2004 - 9:52am

Wow

I've seen what I presume to be wasp larva on some smaller spiders but never anything that big.

… Troy Bartlett, 3 September, 2004 - 9:48am