Tobacco hornworm and parasitic wasps

A tobacco horn worm on a tomato plant parasitized by tiny wasps. They are emerging from their cocoons.
More information here: http://pollinators.blogspot.com/2009/09/bugs-in-garden-hornworm-friend-or-foe...
The web of life: http://pollinatingbee.blogspot.com/

Category:

Pets & Animals

[thedaniel234able]

what would happen if the wasp that gives out this stuff stung a person? would this happen to the person if left untreated?

[bmoisset]

@thedaniel234able: These wasps do not sting. And they don't lay eggs on humans. Parasitic wasps such as this are highly specific; they only parasitize one species of caterpillars or maybe a few closely related species.

[CptSmokeAlot]

00:52 AHHHHH! ITS ALIVE STILL!!

[bmoisset]

@CptSmokeAlot

Yes, it was still alive. It surprised me too. I doubt it that it would last much longer, poor thing!

[CallHimVick]

@bmoisset Because he hates bugs.

[MyFishCare101]

poor caterpillar. I just finished reading a book on insects and read how mean wasps can be :( I like caterpillars.

[Hollyhocks0]

The tomato hornworm is the larval stage of the Five-spotted Hawk Moth. I do not do this with the hornworm but,I take what ever is bothering my plants and blend them with water. Then spray the plant they came off. They don't like eating their dead. i pick the eggs off and take them down the road to the person bragging too much about their garden and drop them off. LOL

[arachnidsrulz12]

those wasps are going to go high

[AandFBrunetteQT]

sweet video. very gross.

[EarthREALTOR]

Manduca sexta or tobacco hornworms make great Panther Chameleon food. I am looking for some to buy for my son's chameleon even though they give me the creeps. I have used the wonderful parasitic wasps (Trichogramma Wasps) for webworms in ash trees before. Manduca quinquemaculata or tomato hornworms give me the creeps on my tomato plants. I'll have to sick my son't chameleon on them!