Multiple stylopisation of a paper wasp, Ropalidia romandi (Le Guillou) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)

Abstract

Figure 1 shows a vespid wasp, 'Ropalidia romandi' (Le Guillou, 1841) bearing three extruded, parasitic stylopids (Strepsiptera: Stylopidae). It is not absolutely clear from the photograph if these are all adult females or include male pupae, although given the host's behaviour it seems most likely that at least one female is present. The photograph was taken on 8 February 2010 in Southport, Queensland. The wasp was behaving strangely, crawling to the top of a blade of grass, falling off and the climbing another one. It is possible the female parasites manipulate the host's behaviour so that it climbs to a good position to encounter males