A slow death was in store for this Tomato Hornworm. According to information from David L. Wagner's Caterpillars of Eastern North America, "Caterpillars are attacked by a braconid wasp (Cotesia congregata) that lays dozens of eggs within each larva. When fully mature each wasp larva tunnels to the outside of the caterpillar's body and spins a whitish cocoon. The host caterpillar is doomed, consigned to a slow death that may not follow for weeks."
1 comment:
excellent photo... and poor poor caterpillar
in the case of parasitized caterpillars being fed on while still alive....nature is amazing: the parasite will first consume those portions of the caterpillar that will not be fatal, saving the "best" for last
your about...wow you get around lots!
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