CLOSED: funky looking little creature or nest of what bug?

Watch Reply
More
Mark unread Print Skip to new
krfleet Saint Louis, MO Sep 25, 2009

i found this thing on one of my tomato plants. I have been plagued with white fly and wonder if this is related?

Thumbnail by krfleet
Post #7102899
Quote
DATURA12 Fort Worth, TX(Zone 8a) Sep 25, 2009

The plant looks like a tomato, so the caterpillar (larvae) should be a tomato horn worm. What you are seeing is parasites that have attached themselves to the horn worm and are using it as a host. Here is what one looks like without the parasites attached.

Thumbnail by DATURA12
Post #7102943
Quote
suunto Sinks Grove, WV Sep 25, 2009

The white objects are the cocoons of wasps in the family Braconidae. The larvae developed inside the caterpillar, and when fully grown, they chewed their way out of the caterpillar and spun the cocoons that you see.

Post #7103097
Quote
krfleet Saint Louis, MO Sep 26, 2009

thank you DATURA12 and suunto.

Braconidae wasps are wanted predators am I correct?

Post #7106163
Quote
suunto Sinks Grove, WV Sep 26, 2009

All braconid wasps are parasitic on other insects/arthropods, and thus usually considered as beneficial.

Post #7106727
Quote
newtoflowers Gilbert, SC May 16, 2010

????? How do you get rid of them?!?!?!?!? I get them on my moon flower plant PLEASE help!!! Thanks!

Post #7799052
Quote
ilovejesus99 Baytown, TX(Zone 9b) May 16, 2010

I thought that caterpillar had dread locks. LOL

Post #7799444
Quote

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
Back to Forum Homepage

More Insect and Spider Identification Threads

Go to all Insect and Spider Identification threads
BACK TO TOP