| Anacharis zealandica | |
|---|---|
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| Image of full body of Anacharis zealandica. | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Figitidae |
| Genus: | Anacharis |
| Species: | A. zealandica |
| Binomial name | |
| Anacharis zealandica (Gray in Yate, 1835) [1] | |
Anacharis zealandica, commonly known as the lacewing parasitoid wasp [2] , is a New Zealand wasp that parasitises lacewings like Micromus tasmaniae and Drepanacra binocula . [3] [4]
Anacharis zealandica pair of eyes are on the sides of its head for optimal peripheral vision to see both prey and predator coming from all directions. [5] This eye structure is discoverable in all wasp species as well as Diptera. [6] The body of Anacharis zealandica has a glossy, shiny look. [7] The legs are a lighter shade of brown than the body. [8] Both Anacharis zealandica pair of wings are transparent, scaly, and thin, with one pair being larger than the other. [9] The size of an adult Anacharis zealandica is often around 5mm long. [10] Adult Anacharis zealandica have a head width of roughly 0.5mm. [11] Many Hymenoptera including Anacharis zealandica use the hairs on their body to enhance their smell and taste senses. [12] Anacharis zealandica has a thin waist (petiole) that connects its abdomen and thorax. [13] Anacharis zealandica has 3 pairs of jointed legs and a pair of jointed antennae. [14] Anacharis zealandica is a rare species to find due to its size so I could not find any information on larvae identification.
Anacharis zealandica is native to New Zealand. [15] In the North Island of New Zealand, Anacharis zealandica has been found in Bay of Plenty, Coromandel, Hawke's Bay, Auckland, Taranaki, Taupo, Whanganui, Northland, Waikato, and Wellington. [16] In the South Island, Anacharis zealandica has been found in Central Otago, Dunedin, Kaikoura, Buller, Mid Canterbury, Mackenzie, Nelson, Marlborough, South Canterbury, Marlborough Sounds, Southland, Westland, and Otago Lakes. [17] Anacharis zealandica has also been found throughout Australia. [18] In Australia, Anacharis zealandica has been found in South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia. [19] The only part of Australia in which Anacharis zealandica has not been found is the Northern Territory. [20] Anacharis zealandica has also been found on Kermadec Islands, Snares Islands, Three Kings Islands, and Chatham Islands, all off the coast of New Zealand. [21]
The preferred habitat of Anacharis zealandica as a larva is the brown lacewing Micromus tasmaniae which is why the common name of Anacharis zealandica is lacewing parasitoid wasp. [22] Micromus tasmaniae has enough energy to host Anacharis zealandica so Anacharis zealandica can harvest the energy to feed off the lacewing as a larva. [22] Micromus tasmaniae prefers habitats with temperate weather conditions which are conditions Anacharis zealandica has adapted to since it needs Micromus tasmaniae to survive. [22] Micromus tasmaniae does not like hotter climates. [23] When individuals of Anacharis zealandica are larvae, Micromus tasmaniae is large enough to host Anacharis zealandica and keep both species alive. [22] Micromus tasmaniae prefers lowland shrubs and bush with not too high canopy cover. [23] As an adult, Anacharis zealandica prefers slightly cooler temperatures and areas with less high canopy cover. [23] Fagopyrum esculentum is another preferred habitat of Anacharis zealandica due to the floral assets the buckwheat flower can provide to Anacharis zealandica and its host. [23]
Anacharis zealandica starts its life cycle as an egg within Micromus tasmaniae. Anacharis zealandica stays as an egg for roughly 4-10 days. [24] These eggs hatch into larva, living as a parasitoid of Micromus tasmaniae with the focus of feeding on the host. [25] Anacharis zealandica are larva for roughly 13-17 days. [26] Anacharis zealandica then become pupa for roughly 7-19 days until the individual then turns into an independent adult. [27] Anacharis zealandica live the rest of their life as an adult for roughly 2-3 weeks. [28] The reason for the variation of longevity in each part of the life cycle is due to habitat variation and living conditions. [29] As an adult, Anacharis zealandica feeds on nectar from flowers such as Fagopyrum esculentum. [30] This defines Anacharis zealandica as a life-history omnivore. [29] Buckwheat consumption contributes to a longer lifespan of adult Anacharis zealandica. [29]
Two preferred food sources of Anacharis zealandica are the buckwheat flower because of its nectar and Acyrthosiphon pisum aphids. [31] Honeydew is another food source consumed by Anacharis zealandica. [23] Micromus tasmaniae is another food source of Anacharis zealandica since it is the host of the parasitoid that uses the hosts energy. [32] Anacharis zealandica prefers food high in sugar levels. [31]
Anacharis zealandica is situated at the fourth trophic level, meaning it is a top predator. [32] Since Anacharis zealandica is part of the fourth trophic level, it is not in much danger of predator competition. [32] This is common for many parasites. [32] Species that are on the fourth trophic level such as Anacharis zealandica are not often parasitised as they are in the tertiary consumer level. [33] Parasitoids are quite prone to diseases. [32] This is because the host of parasitoids can adapt over time to release toxins and poisons that can potentially make the parasitoid sick and contract a disease. [32] Occasionally host organisms will need to do this because the parasitoid poses too much of a threat to the host. [32]
Abundance of Micromus tasmaniae decreases when there are high numbers of Anacharis zealandica. [34] This is because the parasitoid Anacharis zealandica can make the brown lacewing sick and weak by harvesting the hosts energy. [34] This decrease in abundance of Micromus tasmaniae has a follow-on effect of aphid populations in the nearby area increasing since they are a food source for Micromus tasmaniae. [34] Anacharis zealandica is an endoparasitoid and has picked its host well because aphids that are a food source for Micromus tasmaniae are also a food source for Anacharis zealandica. [35]
Anacharis zealandica has an attraction to methyl salicylate, a compound that plants create to keep herbivores from eating the leaves. [24]