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Parasited Sphinx moth

Photo by Juan DiTrani
Published on Project Noah
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9.1521, -79.8465

Field Notes

Description:

Sphinx moth larvae (Sphingidae) parasited

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (5)
Tom15
Juan, it's not creepy, it's just nature at work:-) I've seen a bunch of caterpillars with parasites, sometimes with quite a few cocoons. But they were just one layer, not stacked 6 high!
Juan DiTrani
Yes Tom. I know is creepy and disgusting, but to me is also very interesting. You can see how these kind of parasites start emerging and build their cocoon in this spot: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/72146004
Tom15
Yikes! I never saw this many parasites on a caterpillar before!
Sergio Monteiro
Wow, I hadn't seen this one before. That is a lot of larvae for a single caterpillar! Great spotting Juan, congrats.
ForestDragon
Juan, that is one unfortunate caterpillar! Impressive.

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Caterpillars and larvae of the World
Mission
Arthropods parasitised by other arthropods
Photographed
PublishedJune 13, 2011

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