Almost every corner of the globe is home to a wide array of different organisms. But despite this diversity, there are groups of animals that share the most unlikely of similarities. Sticking to the UK, each week for 12 weeks I will test your skills in identifying 12 different organisms that share one characteristic. They can be a plant or a fungi, a bird or a mammal, a fish or an insect!MAGICAL MYSTERY QUIZ#12Lady killer.
My first thought is that it's a parasite that kills Ladybirds. Apparently, there are some parasitoid wasps that lay their eggs in ladybird larvae, pupae or even adults. I had to look this up but one such is Dinocampus coccinellae. I expect there are others
Also, the alien Harlequin Ladybird carries a parasitc fungus to which it is immune but which affects our native species. Again looking it up it's called Nosema.
Probably way off the mark.
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Tony
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Clue tomorrow.
All I can think of is Mother die (Hemlock) but I don't see how that fits. :-)
Annie
Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.
Einstein
Clue: Who you calling a cocoon guarding zombie!
Cuckoo Spit or Frog Hopper,don't know where that came from but it is a starter
Pete
Birding is for everyone no matter how good or bad we are at it,enjoy it while you can
I think TeeJay is on the right lines with the parasitic wasp .... I can't remember which one
Caroline in Jersey
Cin J
I can see I am going to have to make my next quiz alot harder! You lot are too clever for me.....
Congratulations to all of you who guessed the wasp Dinocampus coccinellae. First a bit about the clues! First clue: Lady killer. This refers to the description given by Shrank in 1802 ‘lady-bird killer 2155’. Dinocampus coccinellae are able to paralyse ladybirds, of whom only 25% revive afterwards. The second clue: Cocoon guarding zombie. This refers to what this wasp does to a ladybird. The female wasp paralyses a female ladybird, turning it into an unwilling guardian of the cocoon that the wasp then creates under the ladybird. These paralysed often still twitching ladybirds have been referred to, by many writers, as zombies.
Though these tiny adult wasps are rarely seen, detailed investigation under non-moving ladybirds often reveals the wasp’s cocoon. With noticeable green eyes and brown body, they are in appearance almost ant like in shape. Belonging to the Braconidae family, this species of wasp is likely to be found most of the UK, especially in association with ladybirds.
A picture of Dinocampus coccinellae is found here.
Did you know that: ladybirds can consume up to 5,500 aphids a year, therefore anything that poses a threat to the ladybird like Dinocampus coccinellae, poses a threat to agriculture.
Keep an eye out for a NEW mystery quiz here soon!
Take care,
Claire
P.S Have any of you guessed what links all 12 species??????????????????????????
Well done TJ :)
Nature red in tooth and claw Mrs T
Crikey, I think that's the first one I got right. If you are going to do any more MrsT, can we have something a bit more cuddly than parasites.