myrmecos.net

Lycaena xanthoides larva  &
Cotesia (Braconidae) parasitoid pupae
California, USA

photograph © Alex Wild 2006

This unfortunate caterpillar has been consumed from the inside by a parasitoid wasp.  The wasp larva exited the host to pupate, creating the large hole visible in the side of the caterpillar.

 
USA, CA: San Diego Co. 
Laguna Mtns. Pine Valley, Pine Creek x Pine Creek Road. 1110m. 32.85476°N, 116.52280°W

This image is copyrighted by the photographer and cannot be used without permission. To obtain permission to use this image, please email Alex Wild. (alwild (at) myrmecos.net).  Most of the photographs on myrmecos.net are reduced from their original size and compressed for more efficient web transmission.  In some cases, higher quality versions are available.

This image was captured with a Canon EOS 20D, using a Canon 65/2.8 MPE 1-5x Macro lens.