A friend found this caterpillar and what looks like caterpillar larva but caterpillars don't lay eggs right? She said the large one is dead. Is it just a coincidence that they are together? And can you tell what type of moth/butterfly will become of these little guys?
COULD THE SMALL LARVAE BE PARASITIC THAT HAVE KILLED THE CATERPILLAR? I AM JUST guessing (sorry about the caps!)
I'm not sure..hmmm
Yes, you were right. It says the female wasp injects the caterpillar with her eggs, then after feeding inside, they chew their way out. The caterpillar dies after this.
I wish those wasps would get busy around here. Tomato season is upon us.
I got lucky with my guess! How about that!
https://insects.tamu.edu/images/insects/common/images/cd-43-c-txt/cimg329.html
Almost all insects can be parasitized.
I have linked a picture of a cotton bollworm parasitized by certain wasps. I agree that this is what is going on with the caterpillar in the first picture.
You are right that caterpillars do not lay eggs. They are the juvenile form of moths and butterflies. I do not know what that one would have turned into. If it was on any crucifer (Broccoli, Cabbage...) then I would call it the Cabbage Moth, though there are several pests with this common name. The one I have the most problems with is the pale green caterpillar that has the white-green adult.
