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In an appropriate moment the braconid pushes her ovipositor forward and lays her egg under the wings of the ladybird from behind. A larva hatches from the egg after a short time. It penetrates into the body of the beetle where it feeds on the beetle's body liquids and fat tissues. Together with its host it hibernates and finishes its development in the spring following, when the beetle starts to feed again. Eventually, the braconid larva starts to eat up the vital organs of the beetle, which finally kills its host. |
