Wasps use ladybugs to incubate larvae
Entomology specialists at the University of Montreal in Canada, found a strange behavior from a variety of wasps.
Jacques Brodeur, professor of biology, stated that “these insects take by force the helpless ladybugs and force them to incubate the eggs of their larvae between their legs. This is common among insects, but the curious thing is that they do not kill the host, rather they “kidnap” them . Then they set them free. ”
He continued stating that “It’s fascinating that the ladybug, Coccinella maculata, is partially paralyzed by the parasite but is finally released unharmed” and claims that “The wasp larvae hatch between the legs of the ladybugs and only leave when matured . Once free, the ladybug can continue eating and playing as if nothing had happened. ”
Brodeur continues to study this phenomenon to know exactly “for how long the cycle lasts for and the relationship between the host and the larvae”
The teacher says that “Can the ladybug reject to be used? We do not know. Our goal is to simulate a variety of laboratory situations and see which are most favorable for breeding.”
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