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Caterpillar and parasitic wasp eggs

Description:

This caterpillar was infected by wasps larvae and now, act as a "zumbi". See the video(thanks misako.hill!): http://youtu.be/vMG-LWyNcAs

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18 Comments

Jacob Gorneau
Jacob Gorneau 12 years ago

I believe this caterpillar is not "nursing" eggs, but rather being parasitized by the eggs. If you look towards the head of the caterpillar in the first photo, you can see it is browning, showing decay.

Scott Frazier
Scott Frazier 12 years ago

Yes sorry, I should have said that mission!

rubens.luciano
rubens.luciano 12 years ago

Frazier, I think you are right if you are talking about the brooding behavior mission.

Scott Frazier
Scott Frazier 12 years ago

This as truly an amazing spotting...and story as brought to life by the video, and although the caterpillar seems to care for its invaders in the latter stage, it is not their parent, so I don't know if this parasitism really fits the mission...

rutasandinas
rutasandinas 12 years ago

Espectacular!!!

misako
misako 12 years ago

You're welcome Rubens Araujo!

Rubens Araujo
Rubens Araujo 12 years ago

Misako and Rubens...the video are really interesting ...its definitely explains Rubens' catterpillar behavior that I saw some months ago...
Thanks you both !!!

misako
misako 12 years ago

You're welcome Rubens--there is a wasp species that parasitizes ladybugs that I am familiar with and that is why I thought it might be the same situation as your poor caterpillar.

rubens.luciano
rubens.luciano 12 years ago

Thanks Misako for the video. This also explains this other picture i took some time ago: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/690.... Poor caterpillar.

RachaelB
RachaelB 12 years ago

That video is amazing, although a bit sad for the poor caterpillar. Great spotting.

bayucca
bayucca 12 years ago

My only comment after this excellent video: all nature with its beauty and ferocity! Great spotting!

Leuba Ridgway
Leuba Ridgway 12 years ago

Good spotting Rubens !
and a good video to explain it all - thanks Misako. The caterpillars look similar too..

Maria dB
Maria dB 12 years ago

Wow, nature is amazing. Poor caterpillar though.

misako
misako 12 years ago

I know--I had to fast forward to the end.

dpoc79
dpoc79 12 years ago

Amazing! That video should come with a "not suitable for weak stomachs" label though heh, heh.

misako
misako 12 years ago

I think it was parasitized by wasp larvae:

http://youtu.be/vMG-LWyNcAs

SarahWhitt
SarahWhitt 12 years ago

Is it laying the eggs?

KarenL
KarenL 12 years ago

Very bizarre!

rubens.luciano
Spotted by
rubens.luciano

São José dos Campos, SP, Brazil

Spotted on Mar 18, 2012
Submitted on Mar 18, 2012

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