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Index of Subjects The Tiger Moth subfamily, Arctiinae, to which these caterpillars belong is noted for being toxic in both adult and larval stages. Hence their bold markings. I have no idea whether caterpillars toxic to predators would also have a deterrent effect on parasites like Tachinids or Ichneumons. But it would not make a lot of sense to to put an egg where their larvae would end up feeding on a toxic host. Nancy Sent from my iPhone On 2013-08-31, at 5:12 PM, "Stephen R. Shaw" <srshaw@Dal.Ca> wrote: > Interesting that in the ~400 images of this species across 19 BugGuide pages that I just went through, maybe half those photos of the larva, there were no images of parasitized caterpillars (no small ichneumon wasp pupae visible). But perhaps photographers just don't like taking such photos? > > With so many larvae together in the same period in such dense numbers in such localized, predictable habitats, you'd expect that some ichneumon or tachinid fly would have a field day and have evolved to specialize in attacking them. Does anyone know if any such parasites are known? (Collect 100 mature caterpillars and see what emerges, presumably in 2014?) > Steve (Halifax) > > Quoting nancy dowd <nancypdowd@gmail.com>: >> Hi Nancy >> >> I am wondering if these caterpillars are Estigmene acrea - Salt Marsh >> Moth Caterpillars. This link to bugguide shows both adults and >> caterpillars. Just click on whichever you want to view at the top. >> >> http://bugguide.net/node/view/3242/bgimage >> >> My brother had seen what I believe were lots of these on an offshore >> island in Lun Co last week. The habitat you describe soiunds right and >> your description reminds me of what he described. >> >> Nancy >> >> On Fri, Aug 30, 2013 at 8:36 PM, Nancy Roberts >> <nancy.roberts@ns.sympatico.ca> wrote: >>> I'm just back from the Cole Harbour Salt Marsh Trail. There was a huge >>> cohort of woolly caterpillars mostly between the second and third bridges as >>> you walk from the Bissett Road end. >>> >>> They had reduced some of their favoured little yellow crucifers to stems and >>> big veins and were even eating the pods. They were all over these, selected >>> other species of plants, and the trail. >>> >>> Most were rusty all over, some were black down the back with rusty sides, >>> and a few were grey. They had flashy markings on their bodies under the >>> hairs. None were banded. >>> >>> I'm amazed that the parent leps laid so many eggs in the narrow strip of >>> plants along the trail. Were they blown there? I've rarely seen a moth or >>> butterfly out there. >>> >>> I know my descriptions are not thorough, but if anyone recognizes these >>> species, I would love to be pointed to images of the adults. >>> >>> Thanks, >>> >>> Nancy >>> >>> Nancy Roberts Design >>> Celebrating 20 years of making you look GOOD >>> Dartmouth, NS B2Y 2X6 > >
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