Black Death - Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus (NPV) on Monarch Caterpillar (Danaus plexippus)

This virus enters the nucleus of infected cells and reproduces until the cell begins to produce crystals in the fluids of its host. The host becomes swollen with virus-containing fluid, turns black, and dies.

Habitat: Infected monarch caterpillar (Danaus plexippus)

comments (12)

Greg Shchepanek

Lion

Amazing Capture of a scary virus...feels weird to favourite...but I like the education of the post...Is it wide spread or spreading? Posted 6 years ago
1. Greg Shchepanek
  
  Lion
  
  omg it is a pesticide! Posted 6 years ago
2. 1. Christine Young
    
    Lion
    
    I'm not sure if it's spreading or not. NPV tends to occur more frequently in areas that don't have long, super cold winters. But, we still get it in the northeast as this photo shows. One caterpillar can contain a billion virus particles, so when they leak out, they spread on vegetation, and then spread further by rain. Then, other caterpillars eat the particles on the leaves, etc. And, so the cycle continues. There are many different strains of NPV, and many are host specific. So, for example, the NPV that is used as a pesticide for gypsy moths is supposed to only kill that species. The NPV's that are host-specific are usually named after their host. So, the one that infects gypsy moths (Lymantria dispar) is named LdMNPV...Ld = Lymantria dispar. The 'M' just stands for multicapsid, which refers to the virus' protein coat...I think. Posted 6 years ago
  2. 1. Christine Young
      
      Lion
      
      LdMNPV:
      
      Posted 6 years ago, modified 6 years ago
    2. Greg Shchepanek
      
      Lion
      
      Wow! You are so knowledgeable...that is great information...I hope I never come across NPV. Posted 6 years ago
    3. 1. Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Thanks, but nah! I was an entomologist and also worked in virology, once upon a time. Posted 6 years ago

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Whoa, gruesome but fascinating and I love how our shiny new virus category is getting some filling. Posted 6 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  I agree! I'll be looking for more virus examples now that I know we can post them :) Posted 6 years ago

Flown Kimmerling

Lion

Whoahhhh! Posted 6 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  Yeah, it was gnarly. Its hard to see, but the bottom was still wet and leaky. I wish I had taken time to get more shots, but I had cranky kids and a hangry husband on my hands... Posted 6 years ago

Leuba Ridgway

Lion

Thanks to your cranky kids and hangry hubby we were allowed atleast one shot of this fascinating phenomenon. We can learn a lot from you Christine so please, keep them coming and thanks! Posted 6 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  Haha, yes - they really "suffered" ;P
  
  Thanks Leuba, I love finding odd things in nature :) Posted 6 years ago