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I found these two caterpillars from the same species in adjacent leaves. Both were parasitised by the same wasp species (!). The cocoons in the cat in photo #2 seem to be slightly older than in the other one. But, the most amazing is that both caterpillars were still alive, and moving vigorously around the leaves!!! Looks like they are much stronger than one could think!
Spotted on Mar 22, 2013
Submitted on Mar 23, 2013
14 Comments
Ditto from Gerardo.
Wow poor guy !
They did, Juan. I checked some days later, and both were dead... :-(
poor caterpillar, it will have a painfull end
WOW! Great spot!
Wow, very nice ! Maybe they don't kill their host and they are just parasits ? (not parasitoïdes).
Wow! Utterly amazing!
Great spotting Sergio!
Perhaps Syntomeida epilais? Eye colour looks wrong though...
Uau!!!! Incrivelmente fascinante Sérgio, parabéns, grande captura!!!!!!
Wow!!! So Beautiful !
Brilliant photos once again Sergio :)
They may not be doomed. I think some caterpillars survive the process. Once the cocoons have been made, the parasites are out of the caterpillar's body and no longer feeding on it. Then again damage that they have already caused may still eventually kill the caterpillar I suppose.
Poor things! I suppose they are doomed though. :( The longer they live, the better for the parasite.