Anacharis zealandica

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Anacharis zealandica, commonly known as the lacewing parasitoid wasp, is a New Zealand species that parasitises lacewings like Micromus tasmaniae and Drepanacra binocula.^[1][2]

Taxonomy[edit]

Anacharis zealandica is the species name and Anacharis is the genus.^[3] Anacharis zealandica was first described in 1900 by William H. Ashmead. ^[4] Anacharis zealandica belongs to the family Figitidae, the order Hymenoptera, the class Insecta, the phylum Arthropoda, the kingdom Animalia, and the domain Eukaryota. ^[5] The common name of Anacharis zealandica is Lacewing Parasitoid Wasp. ^[6]

Description[edit]

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. ^[7] This eye structure is discoverable in all wasp species as well as Diptera. ^[8] The body of Anacharis zealandica has a glossy, shiny look. ^[9] The legs are a lighter shade of brown than the body. ^[10] Both Anacharis zealandica pair of wings are transparent, scaly, and thin, with one pair being larger than the other. ^[11] The size of an adult Anacharis zealandica is often around 5mm long. ^[12] Adult Anacharis zealandica have a head width of roughly 0.5mm. ^[13] Many Hymenoptera including Anacharis zealandica use the hairs on their body to enhance their smell and taste senses. ^[14] Anacharis Zealandica has a thin waist (petiole) that connects its abdomen and thorax. ^[15] Anacharis zealandica has 3 pairs of jointed legs and a pair of jointed antennae. ^[16] Anacharis zealandica is a rare species to find due to its size so I could not find any information on larvae identification.

Geographic Distribution and habitat[edit]

Anacharis zealandica is native to New Zealand.^[17] 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. ^[18] 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. ^[19] Anacharis zealandica has also been found throughout Australia. ^[20] In Australia, Anacharis zealandica has been found in South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia. ^[21] The only part of Australia in which Anacharis zealandica has not been found is the Northern Territory. ^[22] Anacharis zealandica has also been found on Kermadec Islands, Snares Islands, Three Kings Islands, and Chatham Islands, all off the coast of New Zealand. ^[23]

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. ^[24] Micromus tasmaniae has enough energy to host Anacharis zealandica so Anacharis zealandica can harvest the energy to feed off the lacewing as a larva. ^[24] Micromus tasmaniae prefers habitats with temperate weather conditions which are conditions Anacharis zealandica has adapted to since it needs Micromus tasmaniae to survive. ^[24] Micromus tasmaniae does not like hotter climates. ^[25] When individuals of Anacharis zealandica are larvae, Micromus tasmaniae is large enough to host Anacharis zealandica and keep both species alive. ^[24] Micromus tasmaniae prefers lowland shrubs and bush with not too high canopy cover. ^[25] As an adult, Anacharis zealandica prefers slightly cooler temperatures and areas with less high canopy cover. ^[25] 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. ^[25]

Life cycle/Phenology[edit]

Anacharis zealandica starts its life cycle as an egg within Micromus tasmaniae. Anacharis zealandica stays as an egg for roughly 4-10 days. ^[26] These eggs hatch into larva, living as a parasitoid of Micromus tasmaniae with the focus of feeding on the host. ^[27] Anacharis zealandica are larva for roughly 13-17 days. ^[28] Anacharis zealandica then become pupa for roughly 7-19 days until the individual then turns into an independent adult. ^[29] Anacharis zealandica live the rest of their life as an adult for roughly 2-3 weeks. ^[30] The reason for the variation of longevity in each part of the life cycle is due to habitat variation and living conditions. ^[31] As an adult, Anacharis zealandica feeds on nectar from flowers such as Fagopyrum esculentum. ^[32] This defines Anacharis zealandica as a life-history omnivore. ^[31] Buckwheat consumption contributes to a longer lifespan of adult Anacharis zealandica. ^[31]

Diet/Prey/Predators[edit]

Two preferred food sources of Anacharis zealandica are the buckwheat flower because of its nectar and Acyrthosiphon pisum aphids. ^[33] Honeydew is another food source consumed by Anacharis zealandica. ^[25] Micromus tasmaniae is another food source of Anacharis zealandica since it is the host of the parasitoid that uses the hosts energy. ^[34] Anacharis zealandica prefers food high in sugar levels. ^[33]

Anacharis zealandica is situated at the fourth trophic level, meaning it is a top predator. ^[34] Since Anacharis zealandica is part of the fourth trophic level, it is not in much danger of predator competition. ^[34] This is common for many parasites. ^[34] Species that are on the fourth trophic level such as Anacharis zealandica are not often parasitised as they are in the tertiary consumer level. ^[35] Parasitoids are quite prone to diseases. ^[34] 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. ^[34] Occasionally host organisms will need to do this because the parasitoid poses too much of a threat to the host. ^[34]

Other information[edit]

Abundance of Micromus tasmaniae decreases when there are high numbers of Anacharis zealandica. ^[5] This is because the parasitoid Anacharis zealandica can make the brown lacewing sick and weak by harvesting the hosts energy. ^[5] 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. ^[5] 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. ^[36] Anacharis zealandica has an attraction to methyl salicylate, a compound that plants create to keep herbivores from eating the leaves. ^[26]

References[edit]

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