Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I made the decision to put down one of the io caterpillars so a diagnosis could be made. Careful dissection revealed at least 6 tiny 1/16" maggots. I still don't know whether the maggots were those of tachinid flies or not, but that is what it seems. The other io larva was also destroyed. This really makes me sad, seeing how these were the first wild-caught io's since the late 1970's for me.

That is sad Do you still have it intact with parasites? i ask b/c I know someone who does research on parasite on Saturniidae. I do not know if he would be interested but I can drop him a quick email. If you have not not destroyed them yet you can just put it all in fridge. I can email you with details.

lele

p.s. when I ship your cocoons you may want to rear larvae in sleeves next year (or did you say you do use sleeves?)

>>I made the decision to put down one of the io caterpillars so a diagnosis could be made. Careful dissection revealed at least 6 tiny 1/16" maggots. I still don't know whether the maggots were those of tachinid flies or not, but that is what it seems. The other io larva was also destroyed. This really makes me sad, seeing how these were the first wild-caught io's since the late 1970's for me.

Darn, I sure wish you had mentioned this before, and I would have saved the tissues and parasites in a preservative solution. I beheaded/dissected the one with the 7 spots. I had to carefully cut the skin open along the ventral side, then had to do some scrutinizing and probing. the tiny parasites were imbedded in the inner skin tissue, right where the dark spots appeared on the live caterpillar. There were cavities where each parasite was lodged. I now know the spots are caused by the maggots' own defecating. I had noticed a slight ooze from the wounds, much like the way a cattle warble keeps its hole clean.
The behavior of the io's was sluggishness, reduced appetite and lethargy. In the days since the spots appeared, the io's never grew noticeably, though they were fully twice the length as when I first found them 2 weeks ago. The parasites were 1/16" to almost 1/8" in length, and transluscent white, segmented. The infected io's obviously appeared streesed, and one began wrapping itself in a rolled up leaf, as if wanting to pupate prematurely.
I hope this detailed analysis is helpful. Upon finding the parasites from the dissection, I removed the other io and crushed it quickly....and humanely.....with one quick stomp.

Yeah, me too. I just didn't think about it until reading your last post. If you find any in the future please contact me or Jeff directly. I will copy this post and send it to Jeff, though he probably can't determine much w/o the cat & intruding larvae.

Did you check out my io pix on webshots? I linked in previous thread.

lele

Yes, and I really liked the pics. It's been many years since I've seen baby io's. I just love the fuzzy small brown ones, but the stinging green ones are sooo beautiful. I'll admit, saturniids have most of the world's most beautiful caterpillars. Most of the adult saturniid moths are just as gorgeous. i love these insects!