| Re: 100's of 'zombie caterpillars'
Most caterpillars don't pupate on the plant where they fed. The transformation from larval to adult stage via pupa is a fairly drastic one with lots of inherent risk (pupae can't run away from predators). Therefore they generally choose quiet and sheltered places to pupate. Some caterpillars pupate in the soil. Those that do pupate on plants mostly wrap themselves up in lots of silk for protection. |