What is happening to this caterpillar?
This caterpillar is being preyed on by a spined soldier bug(Podisus maculiventris). Spined soldier bugs are a beneficial species of stink bug. They are excellent predators of over 90 species of pest insects, including many common caterpillar and beetle pests. Spined soldier bugs can be identified by their pointed shoulders and a black spot on the tip of their wings where they fold over the end of the abdomen. Plant-feeding stink bugs may look very similar, but usually have more rounded shoulders and no black spot on their folded wing. Additionally, the mouthpart on plant-feeding stink bugs is much more narrow, whereas predatory stink bugs have a thick, robust mouthpart for sticking into their prey. Read more about spined soldier bugs here.
This week’s question is from Christiana Huss, Pee Dee Fruit and Vegetable Agent.
The South Carolina Grower 