Braconid Wasp Cocoons on a Banded Tussock Moth Larva

I found this moth larva on the wheel well of one of our tires on the motorhome. It was still alive but had been parasitized by Braconid wasps (as evidenced by the attached cocoons). This larva lived for at least another 2 weeks as I saw it move to different locations.

A really cool article about the different types of Braconids on caterpillars:
https://butterfly-fun-facts.com/braconid-wasps-are-parasitoids-of-butterfly-and-moth-caterpillars/

comments (8)

Christine Young

Lion

Great find! Posted 3 months ago
1. Lisa Kimmerling
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks! I thought it was so cool! Posted 3 months ago

Calbost Niel

Lion

Well found. The circle of Life Lisa Posted 3 months ago
1. Lisa Kimmerling
  
  Lion
  
  Thank you, Niel! It was wild! Posted 3 months ago

Wesley Goorachan

Lion

Lovely find! Posted 3 months ago
1. Lisa Kimmerling
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks, Wesley! Posted 3 months ago

Barry

Lion

Very cool, but gruesome fate for the caterpillar. Posted 3 months ago
1. Lisa Kimmerling
  
  Lion
  
  Yes, it suffered a slow death. 2 weeks later, several of the wasps had emerged (I did not see this in person, unfortunately), and the caterpillar was extremely sluggish.
  
  I had considered putting the caterpillar out of its misery early on, but then I would have to feel guilty about the Braconid wasps. I really don't want to upset any balance in nature! Posted 3 months ago

The Banded tussock moth

"Halysidota tessellaris", also called the banded tussock moth, is in Erebidae. Like many related species, it has chemical defenses it acquires from its host plants, in this case, alkaloids, at least in adults. Larval brazen behaviours suggest that they are chemically protected; they have not been analyzed for alkaloid content.

Info 23 0

Similar species: Moths And Butterflies

Species identified by Lisa Kimmerling