Parasitic Wasps
 
                 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Pupal Parasite Chalcid - Brachymeria ovata

Family CHALCIDIDAE

This page contains pictures and information about Pupal Parasite Chalcid Wasps that we found in the Brisbane area, Queensland, Australia. 

Body length 5mm
 
This wasp is known parasite on pupae from many species include butterfly, moth, wasp, and Tachinidae that parasitising moth. We found twist of this wasp parasites on moth and butterfly pupae.

 
Chalcid Wasp parasite on Moth pupa
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Moth pupa length 15mm, wasp body length 5mm 
 
We found the moth pupa in a front yard during early summer. We brought it home and waited to see what kind of moth it would be. However we end up saw a small wasp came out from the Pupa. This unknown species wasp is shiny black in colour with yellow legs. Its wings are dark in colour. Its hind legs are enlarged. Its black antenna are short and elbowed.
 

 
Chalcid Wasp parasite on Tailed Emperor Butterfly pupa
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Butterflies Pupa length 20mm
 
We found a green butterfly pupa in our backyard in late summer. We check that this looked like a Tailed Emperor Butterfly pupa (Polyura pyrrhus). However, about two weeks later, we saw there are many holes on the pupa and more than 20 Chalcid Wasps had came out from the pupa.
 
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body length 5mm
 
Those wasps are shiny black in colour with yellow legs. Its wings are clean. Its hind legs are enlarged. They look very similar to the species above.
 

Reference and Link:
1. Insects of Australia, CSIRO, Division of Entomology, Melbourne University Press, 2nd Edition 1991, pp 961.

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Last updated: October 15, 2006.