Andrew Weitzel
WASP POSTING: Mesochorus sp on tussock moth caterpillar
This little wasp was busy laying eggs all over her soon-to-be unfortunate host.
Mesochorus are hyperparasitoid ichneumon wasps that parasitize other parasitic ichneumon wasps. They are somehow able to sense which caterpillars have already been victimized and lay their eggs on them. Eventually the original wasps eggs will hatch to feed on the caterpillar, followed by the mesochorus wasps hatching and feeding on the original wasp's larvae.
(I know this because a wasp expert on bugguide was able to identify our little friend here)
This poor caterpillar is going to be crawling with more harmful parasites than the hand towels in the bathroom at Club Goodtimes.
WASP POSTING: Mesochorus sp on tussock moth caterpillar
This little wasp was busy laying eggs all over her soon-to-be unfortunate host.
Mesochorus are hyperparasitoid ichneumon wasps that parasitize other parasitic ichneumon wasps. They are somehow able to sense which caterpillars have already been victimized and lay their eggs on them. Eventually the original wasps eggs will hatch to feed on the caterpillar, followed by the mesochorus wasps hatching and feeding on the original wasp's larvae.
(I know this because a wasp expert on bugguide was able to identify our little friend here)
This poor caterpillar is going to be crawling with more harmful parasites than the hand towels in the bathroom at Club Goodtimes.