Diseased chrysalis

[Turtlehead]

What is wrong with this chrysalis? Should I destroy it?

Turtlehead

[Mona Miller]

If I had to guess, I would say that it has been parasitized by a fly. Look around your cage. You might find a oblong looking brownish pupa. Probably more than one.

http://monarchparasites.uga.edu/parasit ... index.html
Parasites Affecting Monarchs

http://www.mymonarchguide.com/2008/01/d ... d-fly.html
The Dreaded Tachinid Fly

http://www.evansonart.com/monarchdisease.html
Diseases and Parasites

http://www.monarchlab.org/lab/research/ ... fault.aspx
Parasites and Natural Enemies

[blazing star]

I see you're using a stick from outside. I do that, too. I always worry about tiny spiders, etc., that may be in crevices of the stick that aren't visible. I rinse the sticks under waters and scrub them before putting them in the cage. I have tons of tiny red spiders here and figure they'd munch on a caterpillar.

In any event, it sure looks like something was snacking on your chrysalis.

[Mona Miller]

Spiders would suck the life out of the chrysalis or caterpillar.

[Turtlehead]

Thank you for your help. I am learning quite a bit but have a long way to go.

Turtlehead

[Mona Miller]

We all do. It is like raising kids. You think you have it all figured out and then the next one comes along and has completely different issues.