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Close-up of Unknown Fungus-covered Insect Stuck to Monarch Chrysalis (Danaus plexippus) This chrysalis was diseased/not viable. It had a tiny, fungus-covered insect that was stuck to it (I&#039;m not sure if the insect was a parasitoid or not). The chrysalis was (collected as a catepillar) kept in an outdoor, mesh enclosure with milkweed.<br />
<br />
I poked the chrysalis with my finger and it popped off the string and leaked goo everywhere. I didn&#039;t see anything unusual inside (no parasitoids that I could see). Also, there weren&#039;t any exit holes that I noticed. Perhaps it had a bacterial infection? We have had tons of rain, which could have caused an increase in bacterial or fungal infections.<br />
<figure class="photo"><a href="https://www.jungledragon.com/image/122230/diseased_monarch_chrysalis_with_unknown_fungus-covered_insect_-_danaus_plexippus.html" title="Diseased Monarch Chrysalis (with unknown, fungus-covered insect) - Danaus plexippus"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.jungledragon.com/images/3232/122230_thumb.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=05GMT0V3GWVNE7GGM1R2&Expires=1759968010&Signature=FRgZTlLku6ZfZYbMkgkV4a4uJ8g%3D" width="122" height="152" alt="Diseased Monarch Chrysalis (with unknown, fungus-covered insect) - Danaus plexippus This chrysalis was diseased/not viable. It had a tiny, fungus-covered insect that was stuck to it (I&#039;m not sure if the insect was a parasitoid or not). The chrysalis was (collected as a catepillar) kept in an outdoor, mesh enclosure with milkweed. <br />
<br />
I poked the chrysalis with my finger and it popped off the string and leaked goo everywhere. I didn&#039;t see anything unusual inside (no parasitoids that I could see). Also, there weren&#039;t any exit holes that I noticed. Perhaps it had a bacterial infection? We have had tons of rain, which could have caused an increase in bacterial or fungal infections. <br />
https://www.jungledragon.com/image/122229/close-up_of_unknown_fungus-covered_insect_stuck_to_monarch_chrysalis_danaus_plexippus.html Danaus,Danaus plexippus,Fall,Geotagged,Monarch butterfly,United States,chrysalis,diseased chrysalis,monarch chrysalis,pupa" /></a></figure> Fall,Geotagged,Monarch,United States,chrysalis,fungus,insect,pupa Click/tap to enlarge

Close-up of Unknown Fungus-covered Insect Stuck to Monarch Chrysalis (Danaus plexippus)

This chrysalis was diseased/not viable. It had a tiny, fungus-covered insect that was stuck to it (I'm not sure if the insect was a parasitoid or not). The chrysalis was (collected as a catepillar) kept in an outdoor, mesh enclosure with milkweed.

I poked the chrysalis with my finger and it popped off the string and leaked goo everywhere. I didn't see anything unusual inside (no parasitoids that I could see). Also, there weren't any exit holes that I noticed. Perhaps it had a bacterial infection? We have had tons of rain, which could have caused an increase in bacterial or fungal infections.

Diseased Monarch Chrysalis (with unknown, fungus-covered insect) - Danaus plexippus This chrysalis was diseased/not viable. It had a tiny, fungus-covered insect that was stuck to it (I'm not sure if the insect was a parasitoid or not). The chrysalis was (collected as a catepillar) kept in an outdoor, mesh enclosure with milkweed. <br />
<br />
I poked the chrysalis with my finger and it popped off the string and leaked goo everywhere. I didn't see anything unusual inside (no parasitoids that I could see). Also, there weren't any exit holes that I noticed. Perhaps it had a bacterial infection? We have had tons of rain, which could have caused an increase in bacterial or fungal infections. <br />
https://www.jungledragon.com/image/122229/close-up_of_unknown_fungus-covered_insect_stuck_to_monarch_chrysalis_danaus_plexippus.html Danaus,Danaus plexippus,Fall,Geotagged,Monarch butterfly,United States,chrysalis,diseased chrysalis,monarch chrysalis,pupa

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By Christine Young

All rights reserved
Uploaded Sep 28, 2021. Captured Sep 26, 2021 16:01 in 31 Ferncrest Ave, Coventry, RI 02816, USA.
  • Canon EOS 90D
  • f/5.6
  • 1/64s
  • ISO640
  • 100mm