JungleDragon is a nature and wildlife community for photographers, travellers and anyone who loves nature. We're genuine, free, ad-free and beautiful.

Join

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 />
<figure class="photo"><a href="https://www.jungledragon.com/image/122229/close-up_of_unknown_fungus-covered_insect_stuck_to_monarch_chrysalis_danaus_plexippus.html" title="Close-up of Unknown Fungus-covered Insect Stuck to Monarch Chrysalis (Danaus plexippus)"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.jungledragon.com/images/3232/122229_thumb.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=05GMT0V3GWVNE7GGM1R2&Expires=1759968010&Signature=jc%2FCJgg1X5rLJIv7Dt0%2B0tQEgk0%3D" width="122" height="152" alt="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 />
https://www.jungledragon.com/image/122230/diseased_monarch_chrysalis_with_unknown_fungus-covered_insect_-_danaus_plexippus.html Fall,Geotagged,Monarch,United States,chrysalis,fungus,insect,pupa" /></a></figure> Danaus,Danaus plexippus,Fall,Geotagged,Monarch butterfly,United States,chrysalis,diseased chrysalis,monarch chrysalis,pupa Click/tap to enlarge Promoted

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.

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.<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/122230/diseased_monarch_chrysalis_with_unknown_fungus-covered_insect_-_danaus_plexippus.html Fall,Geotagged,Monarch,United States,chrysalis,fungus,insect,pupa

    comments (4)

  1. A bizarre and complicated observation, not sure what to make of it. Posted 3 years ago
    1. I'm not sure either. The little fungus-covered insect could be unrelated. It's intriguing though because there are likely four species in this one observation -- the monarch, the infection, the fly/wasp, and the fungus. Posted 3 years ago
  2. Amazing - almost leather like Posted 3 years ago
    1. I thought so too, until I touched it. It was very squishy and burst from the slightest touch, spewing rottenn guts everywhere. Posted 3 years ago

Sign in or Join in order to comment.

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.

Similar species: Moths And Butterflies
Species identified by Christine Young
View Christine Young's profile

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