Dull.
A few more shots of the Nematus pavidus sawfly larvae, showing their third instar pattern. They will soon be off to overwinter as 'pre-pupae'.
The great majority will be hosting Ichneumonid eggs: the Ichneumonids started laying as soon as the sawflies hatched.
The orange rust spots are an indication of another species competing for the Willow's resoirces. This time, a fungal rust.
This long, thin, Ichneumonid is often seen close to the larvae, but never seems to inject or interfere with them in any way. I'm beginning to wonder if they are ectoparasites - these lay their eggs on the outside of the larvae, rather than injecting.
