Lady-beetle-parasite
Guides
Dinocampus
Dinocampus is a genus of braconid wasps in the subfamily Euphorinae. The genus contains at least 25 described species, with Dinocampus coccinellae being the most extensively studied. Members of this genus are endoparasitoids of lady beetles (Coccinellidae), exhibiting complex host manipulation behaviors including the induction of partial paralysis that causes hosts to guard developing wasp cocoons. The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution and has been recorded from multiple continents.
Dinocampus coccinellae
Ladybird Parasitoid Wasp
Dinocampus coccinellae is a solitary braconid wasp that parasitizes lady beetles (Coccinellidae). The female wasp deposits a single egg into the host's abdomen, where the larva develops through four instars over 18–27 days before emerging. Upon emergence, the larva paralyzes the host and spins a cocoon attached to the ladybird's legs. The paralyzed host remains alive, twitching occasionally, and serves as a protective bodyguard that deters predators with its bright coloration and defensive movements. Approximately 25% of hosts recover after the wasp completes development. The wasp is notable for co-injecting Dinocampus coccinellae paralysis virus (DcPV) with its egg, which facilitates host manipulation.