Caterpillars feed on plant leaves.Some plants contain compounds that, when mixed with the saliva of particular caterpillar species, create an odor that attracts parasitoid wasps.Unlike true parasites, parasitoids like these wasps kill their hosts (caterpillars), often laying their eggs within the caterpillar carcasses.The relationship between plant and wasp could be considered _______; the relationship between wasp and caterpillar is _______.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The relationship between the plant and the wasp is mutualistic because the plant benefits from the reduction of caterpillar damage, and the wasp benefits from locating caterpillars to use as hosts for its eggs. The relationship between the wasp and the caterpillar is predatory because the wasp kills the caterpillar.

Caterpillars Feed on Plant Leaves