Larva of a Syrphid Fly by a caterpillar's nest
Here is a small invader exploring a caterpillar's nest on a dead leaf of Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia, Fagaceae) that's stuck up in the tree in the woods today. I believe the invader is the larva of a Syrphid Fly (Syrphidae, Diptera) - possibly the larva of the species Syrphus opinator which I've been showing lately, e.g. in this photo. The caterpillar makes a nest in the oak leaves with webbing and skeletonizes the leaves, look above the larva and to the right. But why would a fly larva be interested in a caterpillar, aphids are more to their liking. Maybe the caterpillar has already abandoned the nest and something else has moved in? I don't know the answer. (San Marcos Pass, 27 February 2021)
Larva of a Syrphid Fly by a caterpillar's nest
Here is a small invader exploring a caterpillar's nest on a dead leaf of Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia, Fagaceae) that's stuck up in the tree in the woods today. I believe the invader is the larva of a Syrphid Fly (Syrphidae, Diptera) - possibly the larva of the species Syrphus opinator which I've been showing lately, e.g. in this photo. The caterpillar makes a nest in the oak leaves with webbing and skeletonizes the leaves, look above the larva and to the right. But why would a fly larva be interested in a caterpillar, aphids are more to their liking. Maybe the caterpillar has already abandoned the nest and something else has moved in? I don't know the answer. (San Marcos Pass, 27 February 2021)