
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.
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.

The monarch butterfly or simply monarch is a milkweed butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. Other common names depending on region include milkweed, common tiger, wanderer, and black veined brown. It may be the most familiar North American butterfly, and is considered an iconic pollinator species.
comments (4)