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Story: Wasps and bees

Wasp larvae emerging from caterpillar (4th of 4)

Wasp larvae emerging from caterpillar

Parasitic wasp larvae (Apanteles glomeratus) emerge from inside a white butterfly caterpillar. Some have begun to spin their cocoon alongside the dying caterpillar. This parasitic wasp species was introduced to reduce the numbers of white butterfly, a pest of cabbages and other brassica crops.

About this item

Natural Sciences Image Library of New Zealand
Reference: Bc0033smt.tif
Photograph by Peter E. Smith

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How to cite this page:

John Early. 'Wasps and bees', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 20-Oct-09
URL: http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/wasps-and-bees/2/2/4