photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
larose forest photos | all galleries >> INSECTS (INSECTA) (28 Galleries) >> Moth Caterpillars >> Cutworm Moths and Allies (Family: Noctuidae) 8536 - > Ochre dagger moth caterpillar (Acronicta morula), #9236 with wasp cocoons
previous | next
31-AUG-2015 Christine Hanrahan

Ochre dagger moth caterpillar (Acronicta morula), #9236 with wasp cocoons

Mer Bleue area

This poor caterpillar is very dead thanks to the insects that lived and grew inside its body and now have emerged to form cocoons. Probably the work of a wasp, either Braconidae or Eulophidae. The caterpillar lived through several instars before succumbing and you can just see the webbing that this species forms as a shelter. Found on an elm leaf.

Panasonic LUMIX FZ200
1/60s f/2.8 at 4.5mm iso125 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
Robert Ballard01-Oct-2015 00:09
Yay for the wasps. I'm a bit biased because I hate finding caterpillars on my tomatoes.
Torben Jorgensen27-Sep-2015 14:36
Awesome find and shot. Poor caterpillar. V
Stephanie27-Sep-2015 13:47
This is just too bizarre!!! Great capture Christine! V
Janet Forjan-Freedman27-Sep-2015 12:45
Great find and capture, excellent description as well.
Hank Vander Velde27-Sep-2015 11:58
Just a super image and info christine.
Apostolos Tikopoulos27-Sep-2015 11:16
Excellent find, wonderfully composed. Great details and sharpness. V.
slhoornstra27-Sep-2015 08:40
Great work and week! V
MarcViskens27-Sep-2015 07:40
great find Christine
well done
Helen Betts27-Sep-2015 05:40
Incredible detail, but such a sad scene. V.
Ann Pettigrew27-Sep-2015 04:15
Wow! Gruesome! Re those hairs tom the caterpillar on the leaf?
Pierre Martin27-Sep-2015 03:09
splendid sharp image and a great
scene of wild nature!
Jim Coffman27-Sep-2015 03:02
I had no idea this sort of thing went on until I found you on Pbase! Nice work,nice information! Thank you!!
globalgadabout26-Sep-2015 23:41
some don't survive in order that others thrive....symbiotic (?) yet visceral arrangement....fabulous, strong image..V
Commenting on this page requires a PBase account.
Please login or register.