Thyrinteina is a genus of moths in the family Geometridae first described by Heinrich Benno Möschler in 1890.[1] Thyrinteina leucocerae caterpillars are parasitized by Glyptapanteles parasitic wasps which inject their eggs into the caterpillar. When wasp larvae are fully grown they exit the caterpillar and pupate nearby. The caterpillar then covers them in silk and will defend the pupating wasps with violent head swings.[2]

Thyrinteina
A T. leucocerae caterpillar parasitized by Glyptapanteles pupae defends against Supputius cincticeps
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Phylum:
Class:
Order:
Family:
Genus:
Thyrinteina

Möschler, 1890

Species

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ Savela, Markku (ed.). "Thyrinteina Möschler, 1890". Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
  2. ^ Grosman, Amir H.; Janssen, Arne; de Brito, Elaine F.; Cordeiro, Eduardo G.; Colares, Felipe; Fonseca, Juliana Oliveira; Lima, Eraldo R.; Pallini, Angelo; Sabelis, Maurice W. (June 4, 2008). "Parasitoid Increases Survival of Its Pupae by Inducing Hosts to Fight Predators". PLOS ONE. 3 (6): e2276. Bibcode:2008PLoSO...3.2276G. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0002276. PMC 2386968. PMID 18523578.