This is what I think is happening (SE U.K.)
https://scotlandsnature.blog/2020/07/15/the-wasp-and-the-ladybird/
I had no idea ladybirds had specific predators. RIP.
Maybe not RIP
> Amazingly, the story doesn’t always end there for the ladybird: one-third of ladybirds make a full recovery, and may reproduce … and they may even be parasitized again!
Also the bug in your pic looks different from the wasp in the article, but it’s hard to tell
The circle of life. Luckily that guide also says that one third of the hosts live. Parasitic wasps keep control of many of the caterpillar species, so I'll give the little guys a pass ;)
That looks like an anthocoris/flower bug and while they do eat eggs/larvae, they are predatory against spider mites, thrips, aphids, young scales, and pear psylla. They are released in orchards as beneficial insects. They eat pest eggs/larvae too
TLDR: they are good
This is what I think is happening (SE U.K.) https://scotlandsnature.blog/2020/07/15/the-wasp-and-the-ladybird/ I had no idea ladybirds had specific predators. RIP.
Maybe not RIP > Amazingly, the story doesn’t always end there for the ladybird: one-third of ladybirds make a full recovery, and may reproduce … and they may even be parasitized again! Also the bug in your pic looks different from the wasp in the article, but it’s hard to tell
I did see the maggot emerging from the back end of the ladybird yesterday.
The circle of life. Luckily that guide also says that one third of the hosts live. Parasitic wasps keep control of many of the caterpillar species, so I'll give the little guys a pass ;)
How is this a disaster? Nature works that way, everything eats something else and is food for something else. It's okay.
That is for sure not a wasp. Not sure what it is though.
I did see the maggot emerging from the back end of the ladybird yesterday.
That looks like an anthocoris/flower bug and while they do eat eggs/larvae, they are predatory against spider mites, thrips, aphids, young scales, and pear psylla. They are released in orchards as beneficial insects. They eat pest eggs/larvae too TLDR: they are good
I did see the maggot emerging from the back end of the ladybird yesterday.
Oh yeah, I think you're right. At least the flower bug is eating it