Parasite on Banded Sphinx moth - BugGuide.Net

HomeGuideID RequestRecentFrassForumsDonateHelp

Clickable Guide

Calendar

Upcoming Events

Registration is open for the 2024 BugGuide gathering in Idaho July 24-27

Moth submissions from National Moth Week 2023

Photos of insects and people from the 2022 BugGuide gathering in New Mexico, July 20-24

Photos of insects and people from the Spring 2021 gathering in Louisiana, April 28-May 2

Photos of insects and people from the 2019 gathering in Louisiana, July 25-27

Photos of insects and people from the 2018 gathering in Virginia, July 27-29

Previous events

TaxonomyBrowseInfoImagesLinksBooksData

Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Flies (Diptera) » Calyptratae » Oestroidea » Flesh Flies (Sarcophagidae)

Photo#2064130

Copyright © 2021 FossilMike

Parasite on Banded Sphinx moth

rural, Gove County, Kansas, USA
November 4, 2021
Size: 4 cm

I collected this Banded Sphinx moth in western Kansas, thinking that it had died in an early morning frost that day.
For some reason, I saved it.. and noted last week that the larva of something had emerged from the thorax and made a cocoon.
The cocoon has not yet hatched. Could this be a braconid wasp from the caterpillar stage of the moth?

Images of this individual: tag all

Parasite on Banded Sphinx moth

Parasite on Banded Sphinx moth

tag · login or register to post comments

Contributed by FossilMike on 21 November, 2021 - 5:40pm
Last updated 20 December, 2021 - 12:50pm

Moved

Moved from immature stages · parasitized hosts · metamorphosis.

… John F. Carr, 20 December, 2021 - 12:50pm

login or register to post comments

Moved

Moved from ID Request.

… Bob Biagi, 23 November, 2021 - 7:08am

login or register to post comments

The moth looks like a Hyles l

The moth looks like a Hyles lineata, not Eumorpha fasciatus, could you post a picture of the parasite itself, as this images isn't large enough to see the parasite clearly. In addition, if the moth was found dead, it is possible that a carcass-feeding fly laid eggs on it after it died naturally, and the maggot developed and pupated.

… Hexapoda, 21 November, 2021 - 5:54pm

login or register to post comments

The moth looks like a Hyles

Thanks... I appreciate the better ID... Where I found it would have been outside the western range of E.fasciatus...

One of the things I noted on the ranch we visited was an abundance of flies, so your suggestion may be correct.
I'll try to get a better photo of the cocoon... It is dark and fuzzy looking, not at all what I would suspect for a wasp.
Mike

… FossilMike, 21 November, 2021 - 6:12pm

login or register to post comments

That does look like a fly pup

That does look like a fly puparium, I forgot to mention that many tachnid flies also parasitize moths and caterpillars.

… Hexapoda, 21 November, 2021 - 7:22pm

login or register to post comments

That does look like a fly pup

Thanks again... useful learning experience!
Mike

… FossilMike, 21 November, 2021 - 7:45pm

login or register to post comments

Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. We strive to provide accurate information, but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world. If you need expert professional advice, contact your local extension office.

Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.
Click the contributor's name for licensing and usage information.
Everything else copyright © 2003-2024 Iowa State University, unless otherwise noted.

Bugguide is hosted by:

Printer Friendly Version

Terms of Use
Privacy Statement
Site Map
Contact