Rose Aphid (Macrosiphum rosae) – Again, looking through the rose cuttings I came across what I initially thought was just an aphid, until I looked closer and noticed it appeared to be fixed to the leaf by a silken pad of sorts. I discovered that the aphid had been parasitised by a braconid wasp, possibly Praon sp. The wasp grub would have fed on the inside of the aphid killing it, and now it has formed the cocoon from which it will eventually emerge as an adult. Some of these parasitoid wasps have been used in biocontrol to help keep down aphid pestilence in farming.
Double-click image for a closer look.
Nature Journeys 
Hmm, interesting
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Wow, it pays to look closely! Did you save the wasp for hatching out later?
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Yes, it will hatch out. Along with the ladybirds, lacewings and some species of hoverfly it will help to keep aphid numbers balanced.
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Wow! I wonder how often that has been captured.
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Fascinating!
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It is, and I learnt something new myself.
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This was very observant of you. Thank you for the photograph of something I have not seen before!
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Thank you, Anne! I am pleased you found it interesting!
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This looks like material fit for a David Attenborough-hosted nature production. I’m impressed yet again by your alert eye!
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Thank you, Gary. Sometimes I like to just stop and focus on one thing, one spot, and on occasion I see stuff like this.
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Amazing find!!!
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Ver interesting! I haven’t heard of that before. How fascinating that these tiny aphids are parasitised. Your photo is abolutely fascinating. Let alone the aphid with the legs is an incredible sight!
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Thank you 🙂 It was new for me too, and I am always curious about nature, especially something I have not seen before 🙂
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I know what you mean and it is a great find!
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What a fascinating capture, Pete. So many facets to this world in microcosm …. and the predatory food chain.
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Thank you, Liz. Nature is so very fascinating.
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Amazing.
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Thank you! 🙂
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A neat find and great explanation, Peter!
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Thank you, Ellen! It was an interesting find.
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You don’t miss a thing! Nature is amazing …
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I try not to 🙂
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I could just repeat what I just said for number one. Seeing this was a good case of observation, Pete. There is a fungus, I can’t remember the name right now, that operates in a similar manner…I just remembered…Cordyceps…at least I think that’s it.
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Thank you. Even at my age it is still exciting to find something new and unexpected.
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