Anastatus japonicus

Anastatus japonicus is known to parasitize over 15 different species (see list below) which includes some species of true bugs and butterflies. Their parasitic behavior can be divided into 10 stages when parasitizing the eggs of the Chinese oak tussar moth (Antheraea pernyi), the only host properly studied. Stage 1 is searching for host eggs, which is done by tapping the substrate with its antennae. Stage 2 involves walking on top of the host egg and feeling around with the antennae, moving them up and down; antennation. Stage 3 is when the antennation stops and the female wasp lowers its abdomen, having located the spot. Then it hovers above the spot with its ovipositor on its way out. Stage 4 is the digging process where it makes the hole by shaking its abdomen. Stage 5 is when it sticks the ovipositor vertically into the egg, piercing the shell and probing. The abdomen will start swaying left and right if the probing is a success. Stage 6 only occurs if the probing is unsuccessful and it involves either giving up or trying harder. Stage 7 consists of oviposition itself and starts with stirring the inside of the egg, then, when the wasp stops stirring and the inside of the host egg becomes stationary, the egg(s) is laid and then the ovipositor is pulled out. The host egg is now infected. Stage 8 involves feeding on the fluid that spills out from the hole the ovipositor made. …