Oleander Aphids - Aphis nerii

This milkweed plant had a heavy aphid infestation. The brown ones that look tick-like are aphids that have been parasitized by braconid wasps (Subfamily Aphidiinae).

Habitat: Meadow

comments (8)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

The photo along with the information really sets out their survival strategy being a numbers game. Posted 5 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  Definitely. Next time I find aphid mummies, I will collect them to see if the tiny wasps emerge! Posted 5 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    Oh wow, didn't think that through enough, that would be brutal! Posted 5 years ago
  2. 1. Christine Young
      
      Lion
      
      I usually find the mummies with their butts already blown off (wasps already emerged), but some of these look intact. I wish I had collected them! Posted 5 years ago
    2. 1. Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        So how do they come out? What do they look like? As larvae? Posted 5 years ago
      2. Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Here's the process: A wasp lays egg(s) in an aphid nymph (by inserting its ovipositor). The wasp larva(e) hatch and eat the aphid's insides. The wasp larva(e) metamorphoses inside the aphid and then cuts a hole in the back of the aphid’s abdomen to emerge as an adult wasp!
        
        In this photo, you can see the exit hole in an aphid mummy:
        
        Posted 5 years ago
        
        Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        This is probably the species of wasp that parasitized the oleander aphids:
        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lysiphlebus_testaceipes Posted 5 years ago
        
        Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        Thanks for the excellent answer, as adults it is. Posted 5 years ago