File: <leuco1.ima.htm> [For educational purposes only] Terminology Glossary <Principal Natural
Enemy Groups > <Citations> |
Immature Stages
of Leucospidae
Immature stages of Leucospidae were discussed in detail by
Clausen (1940), as follows: The eggs have been described only for Leucospis gigans
(Fig. 104A) and L. affinis, and these are quite
similar, being club‑shaped and curved and bearing a dense covering of
minute papillae. The egg of L. gigas is exceedingly large, measuring 3.0 mm. in
length. The anterior end is broadest,
and the posterior portion is appreciably narrowed. The first‑instar larva of L. gigas
(Fig. 104B), as described by Parker
(1924), is elongated in form, with a large, moderately sclerotized head and
13 distinct body segments, of which the last is expanded into a retractile,
sucker‑like organ. The head
bears prominent cylindrical antennae and four pairs of long sensory
hairs. Each body segment bears three
pairs of long and heavy spines and, in addition, a median band of minute
setae. The four pairs of spiracles
are situated on the second thoracic and first three abdominal segments. Please CLICK on picture to view
details: The larva of L. affinis as described by
Graenicher, differs from the above in having only three pairs of sensory
hairs on the head and two pairs on each body segment, and they are
proportionately longer than in L.
gigas. The third‑instar larva of L. gigas
described by Parker (Fig. 104C) has a
relatively small head bearing conical antennae, five pairs of sensory setae,
and simple triangular mandibles. The
segmental spines are as shown in the figure.
The nine pairs of spiracles are situated at the anterior margins of
the second and third thoracic and the first seven abdominal segments. The mature larva was not yet described in
1940, but probably differs from the third instar only in minor details. References: Please refer to <biology.ref.htm>,
[Additional references may be
found at: MELVYL Library ] |