Braconid Wasp Ovipositing – Meteorus species

This tiny parasitic wasp is busy laying eggs deep inside a flower.  She walks around, sensing via antennae the vibrations of her prey, then inserts her ovipositor into the flower and lays an egg on (or in) the larvae hidden inside. This is the same process used by the giant ichneumon wasps, which drill into solid wood in many instances.

It amazes me. How does that wasp know exactly where and when the egg must be laid? For it must be laid inside the cell of the alien larvae – sometimes laid directly on the body of the prey, sometimes inside the host larva, where it will develop and eat the host from the inside out! I suppose they’ve been at this for millions of years and have plenty of practice.

This wasp was indeed busy – I watched her lay a dozen eggs in several different flowers in about 15 minutes. This creature is very small and very ethereal. You’ll have to look close to spot one; they are also exquisitely camouflaged and their translucence transmits the background colors.

From underneath

Wasp feels for vibrations with her antennae; she can tell where her prey lies inside the flower! Live adult female Braconid wasp photographed at Ogle County, Illinois. Size = 5mm

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