Parasitized hairstreaks
Parasites of Hairstreak Larvae

 

 

Parasite #1: one specimen in a (presumed) Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus) caterpillar. The caterpillar was found a day or two before pupating. It appeared dirty and had numerous blemishes; these may be signs indicative of the presence of a parasite.


5-7-09, Falcon Hts, TX

Parasite #2: one specimen in a Lantana Scrub-Hairstreak (Strymon bazochii) caterpillar. The caterpillar was found a week before pupating. At the time I did not notice anything wrong with the larva, but later review of the photos did show a blemish that may have been the site where an egg was inserted.


7-26-09, Falcon Hts, TX

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parasite #3: multiple specimens in a Lantana Scrub-Hairstreak (Strymon bazochii) caterpillar. The caterpillar was found a day or two before pupating. As the melinus caterpillar, it appeared dirty and had numerous blemishes. The deformed pupa made it evident that this caterpillar was doomed. 30 of these parasites, much smaller than the first two, emerged from the infected pupa.


5-25-09, Falcon Hts, TX