Landscape Message: Jun 16, 2017

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From the Southeast Region (Hanson) report

"Most gypsy moth caterpillars are in 4th instar; however at another site in Hanson, there were numerous 5th instar caterpillars. Along with the 4th and 5th instar caterpillars, there were many 2nd - 3rd instar small caterpillars. I asked Dr. Elkinton’s staff about that, and the answer is that the caterpillars were parasitized by a small wasp Cotesia melanoscela (http://www.entomology.wisc.edu/mbcn/kyf503.html). The parasitized caterpillars will not molt into 4th, 5th or 6th instar as a result."

(edit note from Claire: I'm seeing both large and small caterpillars here in Plymouth, MA, so maybe the small wasp is active here.)

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