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Sphingid caterpillar & Tachinid fly eggs - Mindo, Ecuador
The prognosis for the caterpillar is grim. While currently quite healthy and plump, a tachinid fly has laid its eggs on it. Soon the eggs will hatch and maggots will devour the still living caterpillar. This form of symbiosis is called parasitism, specifically the flies are parasitoids which means they kill and consume their host (unlike mere parasites like a tapeworm or flea or something). Wasps are the most famous of the parasitoid insects and they do make up the majority but in 2nd place are tachinid flies which lay their eggs on a variety of hosts.
Life Partners
Sphingid caterpillar & Tachinid fly eggs - Mindo, Ecuador
The prognosis for the caterpillar is grim. While currently quite healthy and plump, a tachinid fly has laid its eggs on it. Soon the eggs will hatch and maggots will devour the still living caterpillar. This form of symbiosis is called parasitism, specifically the flies are parasitoids which means they kill and consume their host (unlike mere parasites like a tapeworm or flea or something). Wasps are the most famous of the parasitoid insects and they do make up the majority but in 2nd place are tachinid flies which lay their eggs on a variety of hosts.