Laurel Sphinx Caterpillar

I wanted to find something interesting today and I did. This is a Laurel Sphinx Caterpillar but it will never metamorphose into a moth. It has been infested by a parasitic wasp called Cotesia congregata. The larva have emerged from its skin and have formed cocoons which will each hatch a wasp in 4 to 8 days. Pretty sad for the caterpillar but a successful brood for momma wasp! Montreal area Sept 8, 2013.