Is this normal??

[Sharon654]

Hi i was wondering if someone could help me please?

This is from a large white butterfly.. it does not look like a cocoon as i imaged it or how the pictures depict one for this species.. is something wrong???

Thank you

Sharon

[Jack Harrison]

Parasites that have been living within the caterpillar have emerged from the body of the caterpillar and pupated. Gruesome but nature's way of keep a check on numbers of Large Whites (and other species).

Jack

[Sharon654]

Oh my!

So get rid of those.. should i remove all the caterpillars or just see what happens to the rest?

Some of the other caterpillars seem to be crawling on these 'lumps' and eating them??? That cannot be healthy!