Cotesia congregata
In 3 days ~10% in a week ~20%
Cotesia congregata is a parasitoid wasp of the genus Cotesia. The genus is particularly noted for its use of polydnaviruses. Parasitoids are distinct from true parasites in that a parasitoid will ultimately kill its host or otherwise sterilize it.
Adult wasps lay their eggs in tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta) and tomato hornworm (Manduca quinquemaculata) larvae in their 2nd or 3rd instar (each instar is a stage between moltings, i.e. the second instar is the life stage after the first molt and before the second molting) and at the same time injects symbiotic viruses into the hemocoel of the host along with some venom. The viruses knock down the internal defensive responses of the hornworm. The eggs hatch in the host hemocoel within two to three days and simultaneously release special cells from the egg's serosa. These special cells, called teratocytes, grow to become giant cells visible to the naked eye. The teratocytes secrete hormones which work in tandem with the virus and the wasp venom to arrest the development of the host. Following hatching in the caterpillar, the wasp larvae will undergo 2 molts inside the host caterpillar's hemocoel and, after 12 to 16 days... Wikipedia →
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|
More parks will be added in future updates.
| # | City | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baltimore | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 2 | Philadelphia | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 3 | Chicago | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 4 | Washington | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 5 | Toronto | 🇨🇦 Canada | |
| 6 | Dallas | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 7 | New York City | 🇺🇸 United States |
Rare
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Hornworm Parasitoid Wasp sighting in Baltimore on a given day, based on 8 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data. It is the 445th most-seen of the 705 insects we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 10%, and over a week to about 20%, if each day is a fresh chance.
August and September
In those months about 10% of wildlife watchers report a Hornworm Parasitoid Wasp in Baltimore on a given day, against under 5% in October to July, the lowest months.
Yes
Of the 7 cities where we can rate Hornworm Parasitoid Wasp sightings, Baltimore has the highest daily chance: under 5%. Next come Philadelphia (United States, under 5%) and Chicago (United States, under 5%).
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Hornworm Parasitoid Wasp is recorded against all the insects logged in Baltimore (8 verified sightings), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
