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| A parasitized Staff Sergeant Butterfly Caterpillar Source: Pinterest Photographer: itchydogimages |
It is not always fluttery and smooth sailing for caterpillars. Sadly, some don't make it because they fall prey to parasites. Certain disgusting and gross footages are up ahead, so viewer discretion is advised! Eh whoops... too late maybe. xD
Recently on National Geographic, I saw a video about wasp larvae eating their way out of a poor caterpillar:
It is unimaginable that dozens of wasp larvae can inhabit a single caterpillar! Urgh!!!
A parasitic wasp will inject her eggs into a caterpillar. For the next week or so, the caterpillar munches away on leaves while the larvae feed on the insides of the caterpillar. When the larvae are fully matured, they bite their way through the caterpillar's skin to break out of its body.
You can also watch a mini documentary on parasitic wasps larvae in a caterpillar here. It has amazingly gross footage of how it would look like from within the infested caterpillar!
Apparently in some areas, it is more common to come across a parasitized caterpillar than to find an unparasitized one. It must be quite heartbreaking for butterfly lovers to see that the caterpillars are so defenseless against these annoying parasites!
If you haven't flipped the table in anger yet, this video by Carl Stenoien might make you sit on the edge as you watch a Monarch caterpillar unsuccessfully fend of parasitic wasps while it transforms into a chrysalis. Prepare your tissues because 'Spoiler Alert', the chrysalis is not going to make it. :'(
2 weeks later, Carl captured another video documenting a hundred wasps or so emerging from the chrysalis.
I guess these wasps exist to keep a balance in the ecosystem, but still... I can't help but root for these caterpillars and I find myself wishing to shoo the parasites away!
Weird & Wilder is a mini series dedicated to exploring the strangest facts about moths and butterflies. Who would ever again think that moths are boring? Check out the entire series here!
Happy Starry Fluttering~! ♥ Or maybe not this time...
Cheers,
Night
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