Posted by pbertner on 24-10-2010 02:41
#1
Found this scene as we were walking out of the Kanuku mountains back to Lethem. Our guide found a group of 3 of these bright aposematic hawkmoth caterpillars. I began snapping away obliviously when Artour spotted the tachinid fly circling around this hawkmoth caterpillar. It was very persistent, even when we accidentally knocked the leaf, it would fly away, and then return. Notice the extremely elongated tail of the caterpillar. In this species the tail appears to serve a defensive function. As the fly landed close to the rear the caterpillar would flick its tail dislodging the fly from ovipositing its eggs. The fly undeterred walked up the body until it was close to the head and out of range of the tail where it began to lay eggs. It seemed to prefer the posterior end of the caterpillar for some reason as it kept on trying to move back there, perhaps laying too close to the front might kill the caterpillar faster and thereby not leave enough time for the larvae to mature, whereas the rear of the caterpillar may not house such vital organs to be destroyed by the larvae. The long orange ovipositor of the fly can be seen quite clearly as well. Kanuku mountains, Guyana.
Any id(eas) on the caterpillar or tachinid would be very appreciated! Hope you guys enjoy in any case.
Paul