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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies (Hymenoptera) » "Parasitica" - Parasitoid Wasps » Braconid and Ichneumonid Wasps (Ichneumonoidea) » Braconid Wasps (Braconidae) » Microgastrinae » Cotesia » Hornworm Parasitoid Wasp (Cotesia congregata)

Photo#137697

Copyright © 2007 fadosia

catepillar with eggs? - Cotesia congregata

auburn, worcester County, Massachusetts, USA
August 18, 2007

I found this catepillar in my tomato plants. I live in Auburn, MA. I've never seen anything like it before. It looks like it has eggs on its' back, but I'm not sure. . .Could you identify the catepillar and what is happening please. :)
thanks
beth

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Contributed by fadosia on 18 August, 2007 - 5:29pm
Last updated 12 November, 2008 - 1:25pm

Moved

Moved from Cocoons and parasitized caterpillars.

… Charley Eiseman, 12 November, 2008 - 1:25pm

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Moved

Moved from Caterpillars with larvae.

… john and jane balaban, 9 September, 2007 - 5:44pm

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Moved

Moved from Moths.

… john and jane balaban, 9 September, 2007 - 5:44pm

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Either way...

Hopefully you didn't kill the caterpillar! All of those little parasitic wasps that will hatch out are great to have around. They'll more than make up for the damage one little hornworm can do!

;)

… Brian E Womble, 20 August, 2007 - 2:09pm

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of course not. I feel bad fo

of course not. I feel bad for the caterpillar! LOL Being a host and all. . .

… fadosia, 20 August, 2007 - 5:41pm

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Parasites

I'm no expert but I'd guess that a parasitic wasp got to it... someone else can probably explain it and go further.

And the Cat is a type of Sphinx moth I believe.

… Andrew Meeds, 18 August, 2007 - 5:32pm

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Yes

Here is a similar case:

. I think the caterpillar is the same species, Manduca sexta. The white things are the cocoons of a braconid wasp. As I understand, the wasp eggs were probably laid inside the caterpillar egg before it even hatched.

… Bobby Grizzard, 18 August, 2007 - 8:01pm

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Yeah I found some pics of the

Yeah I found some pics of the wasps. I had wondered when they attach to the poor guy. . . I've never encountered this before so it is all quite educational. If not a bit gross. LOL

thanks

… fadosia, 20 August, 2007 - 5:43pm

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