Eulophid Wasp Pupae - Family Eulophidae

Here's what I think is going on here...The tiny (~1-2 mm) black blobs are the pupae of Eulophid wasps. They are found, attached to leaves, in an upside down position. As larvae, the wasps feed on another insect larva (such as a lepidopteran caterpillar or leaf beetle larva). When mature, the wasps emerge and pupate on the leaf. The yellowish stuff on the leaf is fecal waste. I think the host(s) was possibly a leaf beetle larva(e) because of the way in which the leaf was defoliated. Of course, I could be wrong about this entire scenario.

Habitat: On alder (Alnus sp.); bog

comments (4)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Whoa, fascinating biology, and an awesome eye for detail! Posted 4 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks! I saw the skeletonized leaves and had to investigate. I thought the little, black bits were just frass. I didn't realize they were pupae until loading the images on the computer, otherwise I would have gotten better photos in the field! Posted 4 years ago
2. Flown Kimmerling
  
  Lion
  
  I was thinking the same!!
  
  I thought the bits were frass too, Christine! Posted 4 years ago
3. 1. Christine Young
    
    Lion
    
    I was so bummed when I got home and realized that the frass had faces! Posted 4 years ago

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