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fisherwr2 > Wasp building a nest
fisherwr2 > Hornworm larva with cocoons from a hymenopterous wasp parasitoid
fisherwr2 > Posterior view of an Asian horntail, Eriotremex formosanus (Hymenoptera: Siricidae) laying eggs in a dying tree.
fisherwr2 > The Asian horntail, Eriotremex formosanus (Hymenoptera: Siricidae) laying eggs in a dying tree. This is a species native to Japan that was accidently imported into the US. The 1-2 inch ovipositor (black tube center of the insect near the top of the adbomen) is pushed into the tree and the abdomen is moved back and forth, left to right and up and down, to force it deep into the tree where eggs are laid. Oviposition usually occurs in a dead or dying tree. The larvae bore in the wood where they will eventually pupate.
fisherwr2 > View of the dorsal section of a wasp head showing the two kidney-shaped compound eyes, the three simple eyes in between the compound eyes, and the base of the antennae. Compound eyes are made up of hundreds or thousands of individual sections, each with its own lens and sensory cells. The eyes which wrap around the head from top to bottom allow the wasp to see above, to each side, the bottom, and to the front of it. The 3-dimensional nature of the eyes protruding from the surface of the head allow some site behind the insect. Compound eyes do not focus well, but the large number of individual units are excellent for picking up movement. The brain integrates all the visual input and makes "sense" of it and causes the insect to take the appropriate behavior. The simple eyes consist of one unit each and are designed to detect changes in light. They appear to be responsible for detecting changes in the daily photocycle (simple eyes are shown in greater detail in the previous image)
fisherwr2 > Side view of a carpenter ant, Camponotus pennsylvanicus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). One good way to differentiate an ant from a termite is to look at the antennae. If they are "elbowed" or bent in the middle, as in this image, it's an ant. If you have something that looks like an ant but has straight antennae, more likely it's a termite.
fisherwr2 > Head of a carpenter ant, Camponotus pennsylvanicus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) showing large, powerful mandibles and the fine microtexture of the head capsule. The capsule is extremely strong to protect the brain and sensory organs. It also supports the massive muscles that operate the jaws. Note the "ball-and-socket" joint that allows a broad range of motion for each antenna.
fisherwr2 > A hornworm that has been parasitized by a wasp, which laid eggs in the host. The eggs hatch into wormlike larvae that feed internally on the host tissues. When they finish feeding, they chew a hole in the integument of the host and crawl outside to construct a cocoon. Some worms (center and lower right) were caught by the camera in the process of crawling through the integument, while others that crawled out earlier have already started constructing cocoons in which to pupate. The cocoons will remain on the outside of the host until the adult wasps emerge (see other photos in this gallery)
fisherwr2 > Braconid parasitoid that just emerged from one of the cocoons constructed on the outside of a hornworm host. Many parasitoid larvae fed inside the worm, exited the body through the integument, and spun cylindrical silken cocoons in which they pupated. Interestingly, most of the adult parasitoids emerge about the same time. The adults chew a ring around the top of the cocoon forming a loose cap that allows them to crawl out. Note the three cocoons with wasps just starting to emerge. These wasps are excellent biological control agents and can be purchased from insectaries that raise them by the millions
Wasp building a nest
fisherwr2 > Wasp building a nest
Wasp building a nest
See photo in original gallery.
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