First sighting of this order on Galiano! Seen here parasitizing a male Ancistrocerus albophaleratus.
Pseudoxenos is the only genus of Strepsiptera recorded from Eumenine wasps and parasitizes them exclusively. I couldn't find any mention of this genus from BC and this may be the first time it has been noticed in the province.
This is/was a female and planidium larvae (the small grey things) can be seen emerging.
On side of trail to Bridal Veil Falls viewpoint, southwest of Hope, BC, Canada.
Phaeocryptopus gaeumannii (Swiss needle cast) attacking douglas fir needles.
Images 1, 3 and 4 show transversal cuts through the douglas fir needle showing the Swiss cast (black) in the stomatae on the underside of the needle.
Images 2, 6, 7, 8 show a ventral view of the needle either with reflected light (image 2) or transmited light (*mages 6-8).
Image 5 shows a squash of one perithecium with some spores.
Images 9-13 show the symptoms on the 2 years old needles
Raised bed - herb garden