Monarch Caterpillar - Danaus plexippus

The thickness of the black bands on this caterpillar suggests that it is likely infected with black death (Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus). The caterpillar was still feeding, but was mostly unresponsive.

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: Milkweed in a meadow