Story: Wasps and bees

Caterpillar with wasp larvae (3rd of 4)

Caterpillar with wasp larvae

This pupating green looper caterpillar (Chrysodeixis eriosoma) is bulging with parasitic Copidosoma wasp larvae that hatched from a single egg laid in the egg of the host. By now the larvae have consumed the caterpillar’s internal organs, leaving only the outer skin.

Using this item

Natural Sciences Image Library of New Zealand
Reference: Bc0030smt.tif
Photograph by Peter E. Smith

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page:

John Early, 'Wasps and bees - Parasitic wasps', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/11144/caterpillar-with-wasp-larvae (accessed 27 April 2024)

Story by John Early, published 24 Sep 2007