Caterpillar of the cabbage white butterfly (Pieris brassicae) guarding cocoons of the parasitic braconid wasp Cotesia glomerata.
The parasitic wasp, Cotesa glomerulata, lays its eggs inside the caterpillars of the cabbage white butterfly, Pieris brassicae. The wasp larvae hatch inside the caterpillar and eat parts of its body, leaving vital organs intact so as not to kill it. When fully grown they burrow through the skin and emerge into the outside world where they spin yellow silk cocoons. The caterpillar, still alive, spins a silken web around the cocoons to protect them and stands guard over them. Possibly a virus introduced by the wasp alters the nervous system of the caterpillar and controls its behaviour. A plant infested with Pieris brassicae will emit pheromones to attract the wasp in order to rid itself of the caterpillars that are eating it. This particular caterpillar and set of wasp cocoons had taken up residence on my kitchen window, enabling me to photograph them from above and below.
Size: 3038px × 4211px
Location: Near Calne, Wiltshire, UK
Photo credit: © Julian Money-Kyrle / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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