A few weeks ago Ms. Wemette brought in a large pupating moth for us to investigate. We were eagerly awaiting the emergence to see what kind of moth it was when I noticed a multitude of football shaped objects appeared overnight. Upon closer inspection, I realized that the little 'footballs' were pupating fly larvae which had invaded the moth as eggs, hatched, and consumed the pupating moth. The fly larvae then emerged from the moth pupa (note the hole) and pupated themselves. What a grisly story!
This is exactly the kind of interaction I studied last year on my Earthwatch expedition to New Orleans to study caterpillars and the parasitoids that occupy them! Now we are awaiting the emergence of the adult flies to see what species they are. My guess - tachinid flies. I'll keep you posted.
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