OE Parasite

by Cindy
(Swartz Creek, Michigan)

We have had several caterpillars with a fluid coming out of them. Also two deformed chrysilias. what could cause this. Also one butterfly that was struggling. They have been destroyed humanely.

Karen says:
It could be some kind of parasite problem.... tachinid or braconid wasp. OE or Ophryocystis elektroscirrha is another parasite which only affects milkweed butterflies but I thought usually it is the chrysalis or butterfly which is visually affected (I could be wrong on this). OE is spread from spores on the milkweed to pupa, then butterfly and egg. Monarchs that emerge with OE often have wings which are weak and aren't properly formed along with other problems and usually die. The chrysalis can also show signs of being infected with uneven darker spots showing through the chrysalis.

Make sure and sterilize everything you are using to raise the butterflies with a 20% bleach solution, otherwise the spores could spread and infect any future monarchs that you raise.