#anastatus

[drhoz]

#2847 - Anastatus sp.

Tiny ant-like Eupelmid wasps, found worldwide (except Antarctica, as usual), quietly searching for insect eggs to parasitise. Some are very important biocontrol agents for major pests and invasive insect species, although, curiously, only male wasps hatch from the eggs of green vegetable bugs (Nezara viridula).

At least 27 species live in Australia.

The 39 genera of Eupelmids are most often parasitoids of beetle larvae, though many other hosts are attacked, including of course eggs, and spiders. Some are hyperparasites.

Uranquinty, NSW.

[ahmerinam]

moth eggs and wasp by myriorama Pink-Striped Oakworm moth eggs on a willow oak leaf, with a tiny parasitoid, Anastatus sp, wasp lurking around them, maybe waiting on the chance to deposit its own eggs in the eggs of the moth. https://flic.kr/p/2nGt4YH