Zatypota albicoxa Walker

Zatypota albicoxa (Walker)

Zatypota albicoxa: Matsumoto & Takasuka (2010): 5 [redescribed].

Specimens examined. All specimens were collected at Mt. Merapi, 1,100 m alt., Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia, K. Takasuka leg. [13.Aug.2009] 23 3ƤƤ (cocoon, emer. Aug.2009); [15.Aug.2009] 33 2ƤƤ (cocoon, emer. Aug.2009), 1Ƥ (larva on host, cocooned and emer. Aug.2009); [27-28.Feb.2010] 1Ƥ (adult), 43 6ƤƤ (cocoon, emer. Mar.2010), 13 larvae on hosts preserved in 80% ethanol; [17.Aug.2010] 23 1Ƥ (cocoon, emer. 18.Aug.2010), 131Ƥ (cocoon, emer. 19.Aug.2010), 1Ƥ (cocoon, emer. 20.Aug.2010), 132ƤƤ (cocoon, emer. 22.Aug.2010), 1Ƥ (cocoon, emer. 23.Aug.2010), two pupae dead inside cocoons, 131Ƥ (final instar larva hanging from web, cocooned 18.Aug., emer. 23.Aug.2010), 13 (larva on host, cocooned 18.Aug.2010, emer. 24.Aug.), 1Ƥ (larva on host, cocooned 18.Aug.2010, emer. 25.Aug.), 1Ƥ (larva on host, cocooned 19.Aug.2010, emer. 26.Aug.), 13 (larva on host, cocooned 20.Aug.2010, emer. 27.Aug.), 13 (larva on host, cocooned 22.Aug.2010, emer. 29.Aug.), 2ƤƤ (larva and egg on host, cocooned 9.Sep.2010, emer. 17.Sep.), 1Ƥ (egg on host, cocooned 12.Sep.2010, emer. Sep.), five larvae on hosts preserved in 80% ethanol.

Biological notes. Eggs and larvae of Z. albicoxa were exclusively parasitic on juvenile spiders (Fig. 1). They were usually located on the dorso-lateral to lateral face, near the base of the abdomen, as were those of Japanese populations. The cocoon hung from the centre of the irregular three-dimensional web and was sustained by several horizontal frame threads (Fig. 2). Table 1 shows the numbers of the spiders and the parasitoids found in the study area in the rainy and dry season. The spider was more abundant in the dry season. Populations of the parasitoid wasp in both rainy and dry seasons were similar; thus the percentage parasitism in the rainy season was higher than in the dry season. The spiders, as well as the parasitoids at a variety of developmental stages, were recognized in both seasons (note that egg sacs of the spider existed in both seasons although we did not count them). The fact that eggs of the parasitoid wasp existed indicates that adult wasps are actively ovipositing regardless of season.

Distribution. Japan, Russian Far East, Sakhalin, Kuril Islands, China, India, Europe, Indonesia (new record).