I reared larvae that came out of a caterpillar body and saw that this wasp did emerge out of the cocoon which the larvae made. The caterpillar is probably a Cnaphalocrocis sp. and it is considered as a pest in Echinochloa polystachya grass. This grass is very important for cattle. The larva of the parasitoid wasp came out when the caterpillar was fully grown and about to pupate. I have observed only one larva that had parasitized a caterpillar. Does this wasp belong to the genus Cotesia (syn. Apanteles)? And what is the species of it?
I think more accurate pics are needed to say what parasitoid is it.
I have worked with Cotesia plutellae before, it looks quite similar but I agree with Mohamad Abdulhai that a more detailed picture would be helpful.
Yes, is a Braconidae wasp in the genus Cotesia (Apanteles). Most likely Cotesia congregata, a gregarious endoparasitoid of Lepidoptera larvae.
Mohamad Abdulhai, Lana Dobrindt , Luis Miguel Constantino and Hanna M. Madanat Thank you so much for the comments. I have some better pictures in my gallery, I will upload them in my next post.
Kind regards,
Nandeni Bechoe
Jai, no, this is not a Trichogramma, they are egg parasitoids and the wing venation is simple with filaments on the the wing margin. Cotesia (Braconidae) are endoparasitoids of lepidoptera larvae. I have worked with Cotesia so there is no doubt that belongs to this genus.
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