Monarch caterpillar killer found!

**PrincessBandit** · 25th January 2010, 16:52

Over the last few days I've seen a few caterpillars on my swan plants and enjoyed watching them get bigger and fatter. Yesterday I noticed one of the large ones had disappeared, along with some of the smaller ones.

This afternoon I went out to pick lettuce for dinner and as I passed one of the swan plants I noticed what seemed like 2 caterpillars (2 small creatures of similar colour locked in combat). Turned out it was a friggin' wasp! It had split the large caterpillar open and if it hadn't been for the fact that the caterpillar was still alive I'd have let the wasp eat it's fill - the caterpillars are poisonous. Sadly though, as I said, it was still alive so I picked the leaf off and crushed the pair of them; to put the caterpillar out of it's misery, and to kill the little bastard wasp. Wasp however wasn't going to give up without a fight so I grabbed the nearest rock and squished it to paste.

I hate wasps - note I didn't say "hornets" just in case any Honda owners get upset! I like the Honda ones, but loathe the insect type!

**MIXONE** · 25th January 2010, 16:55

Good onya.I hate wasps too.

**Gareth123** · 25th January 2010, 17:00

Everything has a right to life...So says Buddha.

I think

**MSTRS:Me** · 25th January 2010, 17:00

Probably the Asian Paper Wasp. They are deadly on Monarch caterpillars around here.

**Oakie** · 25th January 2010, 17:02

Originally Posted by PrincessBandit

I hate wasps - note I didn't say "hornets" just in case any Honda owners get upset! I like the Honda ones, but loathe the insect type!

I seem to remember from my High School latin that the latin for wasp is ... Vespa!

**pzkpfw** · 25th January 2010, 17:24

So vegetarian animals are OK, but carnivores are evil?

**george formby** · 25th January 2010, 17:24

We found that out last year but their is bugger all we can do about it. After planting loads of swan plants in anticipation of a pretty summer this year, not a single caterpillar has appeared......

**PrincessBandit** · 25th January 2010, 17:38

Might have to use ye olde bird netting to stop the pests from decimating the caterpillar community. Oh, and I HATE flies too! (so my loathing is not limited to just wasps...)

**MSTRS:Me** · 25th January 2010, 17:46

Actually, Monarchs are their own worst enemy. We have one plant. It had at least 15 on it. Now it is a single stalk, no leaves. And it has 3 caterpillars left on it. The rest have gone looking for food. They won't find any. So they'll all die.

**Number One** · 25th January 2010, 17:48

oooooo PB you so tough I bet your poohs scare the flies away!

**Mom** · 25th January 2010, 17:49

Originally Posted by PrincessBandit

Over the last few days I've seen a few caterpillars on my swan plants and enjoyed watching them get bigger and fatter. Yesterday I noticed one of the large ones had disappeared, along with some of the smaller ones.

This afternoon I went out to pick lettuce for dinner and as I passed one of the swan plants I noticed what seemed like 2 caterpillars (2 small creatures of similar colour locked in combat). Turned out it was a friggin' wasp! It had split the large caterpillar open and if it hadn't been for the fact that the caterpillar was still alive I'd have let the wasp eat it's fill - the caterpillars are poisonous. Sadly though, as I said, it was still alive so I picked the leaf off and crushed the pair of them; to put the caterpillar out of it's misery, and to kill the little bastard wasp. Wasp however wasn't going to give up without a fight so I grabbed the nearest rock and squished it to paste.

I hate wasps - note I didn't say "hornets" just in case any Honda owners get upset! I like the Honda ones, but loathe the insect type!

Absolutely devastating thing to see, sadly they dont confine themselves to caterpillars though, I have actually seen them down a butterfly and eat that!

Originally Posted by MSTRS

Actually, Monarchs are their own worst enemy. We have one plant. It had at least 15 on it. Now it is a single stalk, no leaves. And it has 3 caterpillars left on it. The rest have gone looking for food. They won't find any. So they'll all die.

Pumpkin, they eat pumpkin

as in the flesh.

**EJK** · 25th January 2010, 17:51

Originally Posted by Gareth123

Everything has a right to life...So says Buddha.

I think

They could've been my reincarnated uncle and aunt.

**MSTRS:Me** · 26th January 2010, 07:51

Originally Posted by Mom

Pumpkin, they eat pumpkin

as in the flesh.

They do. But after the chrysalis stage, the adult butterfly is often deformed.

**The Stranger:Me** · 26th January 2010, 08:02

Originally Posted by PrincessBandit

so I picked the leaf off and crushed the pair of them; to put the caterpillar out of it's misery, and to kill the little bastard wasp. Wasp however wasn't going to give up without a fight so I grabbed the nearest rock and squished it to paste.

You need help. I've forwarded this to the SPCA.
I hope they ask for jail time too.

**Mikkel** · 26th January 2010, 08:22

Wasps are mean little fuckers. Not a big fan, to say the least.

Originally Posted by MSTRS

Actually, Monarchs are their own worst enemy. We have one plant. It had at least 15 on it. Now it is a single stalk, no leaves. And it has 3 caterpillars left on it. The rest have gone looking for food. They won't find any. So they'll all die.

Isn't there something about the Kakapo's very slow breeding cycle having developed to avoid that particular problem? ...unsafe wherever you go.