The destiny of some white cabbage caterpillars

[MWP admin]

Some caterpillars do not form pupa of their own species but they become parasitised by some other insect (probably a wasp) which lays its eggs inside and then the hatched larvae somehow come out the poor caterpillar and form their pupae outside. The caterpillar was still twiggling alive when this photo was taken.

Maybe someone more expert from me can give a better explantion of what is actually happening, becasue this is just my personal observation.

The dark side of nature - but every species struggles to survive

tnx

[MWP admin]

About 30hrs from the photo and post above, I noted that the caterpillar is still there and alive, as if even taking care of these bright yellow cocoons.

I wonder what is the bioloical relationship / explanation here. To say the truth, the caterpillar does not seem injured

[Ke!tH]

As far as I know, some species of wasps lay their eggs inside a caterpillar to ensure that the young have plenty to eat on until they undergo metamorphosis. (like when a cabbage butterfly lays its eggs on a cabbage leaf)
Did you actually see the insect penetrate the caterpillar or what Steve?

[MWP admin]

No, but prev day I saw the paper wasp attacking a caterpillar to death (nibbling his neck). Do not know if he was feeding on it or an exagerated attempt to nest which attacke resulted in the death of the caterpillar ?! See pics below


Update of the photo above:

After 2 days the caterpillar died and the coccons are there adhered to the surface of the wall (actually a large pot). I could not see any perforations in the caterpillar body (or at least any green oozing)?! So probably the parasite larvae were small enough to dig out the caterpillar without much harm! As I said it kept alive for 2 days in the same spot near the cocoons that gave me the impression it is taking care of them!!

I keep an eye on the yellow pupae !!

[Lisa]

have a look at this
http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/ent/bioco ... tesia.html