Anagrus atomus
A video clip of a 0.5mm long female Anagrus atomus parasitoid wasp of the Mymaridae family walking and preening under water. It was found in a yellow pan with approximately 50mm depth of water, but it was alive and walking. When the pan was moved it fell over and was affected by the fluid movement, but as soon as the water became still it continued on its perambulations. On many occasions Mymarid wasps have been observed under water in seemingly good health for quite some time. Once helped out of the water they are able to preen and recover their ability to fly after a short time, provided the process of exiting the water is gentle. Scelionid wasps found in water appear dead and unmoving yet frequently recover after drying.
Anagrus atomus
A video clip of a 0.5mm long female Anagrus atomus parasitoid wasp of the Mymaridae family walking and preening under water. It was found in a yellow pan with approximately 50mm depth of water, but it was alive and walking. When the pan was moved it fell over and was affected by the fluid movement, but as soon as the water became still it continued on its perambulations. On many occasions Mymarid wasps have been observed under water in seemingly good health for quite some time. Once helped out of the water they are able to preen and recover their ability to fly after a short time, provided the process of exiting the water is gentle. Scelionid wasps found in water appear dead and unmoving yet frequently recover after drying.