Avocado > Year-Round IPM Program > Caterpillar Management > Caterpillar Pathogens

Avocado

Natural Enemies of Caterpillars

On this page

Parasites

  • Trichogramma platneri
  • Cotesia (Apanteles) sp.
  • Habrobracon (=Bracon) xanthonotus
  • Meteorus tersus
  • Brachymeria ovata
  • Tachinid fly

Pathogens

  • Granulosis virus
  • Bacillus thuringiensis

Predators

  • Assassin bug
  • Brown lacewing
  • Green lacewing
  • Birds
  • Spiders

Names link to more information on identification and biology.

Click on photos to enlarge
Parasites

Parasitic wasps
Trichogramma platneri adults
Identification tip: Parasitic wasps laying their eggs in caterpillar eggs.

Parastic wasp just emerged
Apanteles (Cotesia) sp. adult wasp
Identification tip: Parasitic wasp just emerged from its cocoon.

Immature wasps
Habrobracon (=Bracon) xanthonotus larvae
Identification tip: Immature wasps resembling pale maggots parasitizing an omnivorous looper.

Immature parastic wasps
Habrobracon (=Bracon ) xanthonotus larvae
Identification tip: Immature parasitic wasps that feed externally on caterpillars.


 Remains of looper larvae
 Identification tip: Remains of two parasitized omnivorous looper larvae.		 Immature wasp
Meteorus tersus pupa
Identification tip: Immature wasp that feeds as a larva inside caterpillars.

Parasitic was emerging from pupa
Brachymeria ovata adult
Identification tip: Parasitic wasp emerging from amorbia pupa it killed.

 Tachnid fly
 Tachinid fly
Identification tip: Adult parasitic fly and its pupal case next to pupa of dead caterpillar from which they emerged.
Pathogens

Granulosis virus
Granulosis virus infection
Identification tip: Granulosis virus infection in omnivorous loopers.

BT infected looper
Bacillus thuringiensis
Identification tip: Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) infection in dead looper.
Predators

Assassin bug
Assassin bug adult
Identification tip: Assassin bug adults and nymphs are slender, colorful insects, often blackish, reddish, or brown.

 Brown lacewing adult
Brown lacewing adult
Identification tip: Adult brown lacewings are soft-bodied insects with four membranous wings and light brown bodies measuring approximately 3/8 inch long.
Green lacewing adult
Green lacewing larva
Identification tip: Lacewing larvae are pale with dark markings. They have long tubular mouthparts, distinct legs, and resemble tiny alligators.
Birds prey on caterpillars
Birds
Identification tip: Birds eat caterpillars and moths, especially when feeding their nestlings.		 Spiders preying on moths
Spiders
Identification tip: Spiders prey on adult moths and caterpillars.

Top of page

Statewide IPM Program, Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California
All contents copyright © 2016 The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.

For noncommercial purposes only, any Web site may link directly to this page. FOR ALL OTHER USES or more information, read Legal Notices. Unfortunately, we cannot provide individual solutions to specific pest problems. See our Home page, or in the U.S., contact your local Cooperative Extension office for assistance.

Acknowledgements Staff-only pages Subscribe (RSS) Contact UC IPM

Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California

© 2016 Regents of the University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources Nondiscrimination Statement

Accessibility   /PMG/C008/m008bpcatrplrne.html?srcPage=PMG%2FC008%2Fm008bpcatrplrne.html revised: December 6, 2016. Contact webmaster.