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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 » Microplitis
Photo#1138561
Caterpillar and growths - Microplitis
Copyright © 2015 jasperpatch

Caterpillar and growths - Microplitis
Cape Breton County, Nova Scotia, Canada
September 11, 2015
Saw a couple of these whilst hiking in Cape Breton NP. All had some brown growths on them, this one was particularly afflicted. Any help with both ID and what is attacking it would be very interesting. Thank you.
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Contributed by jasperpatch on 13 September, 2015 - 11:29am
Last updated 11 October, 2015 - 10:47pm

Moved
Moved from ID Request.
… john and jane balaban, 11 October, 2015 - 10:47pm login or register to post comments

Dr. Sharkey's comments…
"Yes and the genus Microplitis is probably correct. Most certainly a Microgastrinae". There are several Sphinx species that are known targets of this group of braconids.

See reference here.
… Ross Hill, 13 September, 2015 - 1:34pm login or register to post comments

Microplitis
The cocoons are of a braconid wasp in the genus Microplitis. The caterpillar is certainly a sphinx (Sphingidae) of some sort, but I don't know the species offhand.
… Charley Eiseman, 13 September, 2015 - 1:03pm login or register to post comments

video
Just stumbled across this video

I don't know my caterpillars at all. I would guess apple sphinx or something there about but wait for others to answer that. The parasitioids are like a braconid wasp of some sort. Perhaps others will be able to give you a more precise answer. I just wanted to share the cool video.
… twiztedminds, 13 September, 2015 - 12:15pm login or register to post comments

 
Wow! Great video, fascinating
Wow! Great video, fascinating. Does look like a similar caterpillar too, but will await confirmation. Thank you so much for sharing, although I'm glad I wasn't eating when I watched it!
… jasperpatch, 13 September, 2015 - 12:49pm login or register to post comments

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