Fluid released from caterpillar

[blazing star]

I have a monarch in a "J" right now. There's a drop of clear fluid dripping from the neck portion of the caterpillar. What is this, and if it's a disease, are the other "J's" or chrysalis at risk?

[blazing star]

Update: The caterpillar turned into a chrysalis but the fluid is still present hanging from the chrysalis.

[Mona Miller]

The caterpillar may have gotten some type of wound. The wound may have been deeper than the skin. Do you have it with other caterpillars? Some times they bite each other.

Can you post a photo?

[blazing star]

I will e mail you the pic. This website won't let me upload a pdf.

Yes. It was with other cats. It formed a healthy chrysalis. Let me know what you think when you get your e mail. Thanks, Mona.

[Mom2RJA]

I never heard of this until I read this post a few days ago, but now I have one just like this. It's a J with a drop of clear fluid hanging from it. It was it a container with one other cat, and a little while ago the other cat climbed up near it and the J cat wiggled around in reaction to it getting too close. It doesn't look damaged in any way. There's just that drop of clear fluid. I moved the other cat to another container.

[Mona Miller]

The picture that Blazing Star sent me looked like the other caterpillar had bitten the chrysalis. I figure that they are all made of milkweed because that is what they eat and their eye sight isn't very good--that must be why they may bite each other. Another reason is lack of food. If they run out of food, they may try to eat each other.

[Mom2RJA]

I just went to take a photo of it and caught it pupating. It looks like a perfectly normal chrysalis, but with that one drop of clear fluid still on it, about half way up. I'll try to post photos a little later.

[Mom2RJA]

Blazing star, did the droplet on your chrysalis dry? Mine dried by the end of the day and it looks completely normal now. I hope it is! I'll be eager for updates on yours, since it is several days ahead of mine.

[blazing star]

I thought to dab the droplet with a paper towel to remove it but then I wasn't sure if that would further harm the butterfly (kinda like a scab?) so I left it there. It's still hanging there so I'm pretty sure it dried. The chrysalis appears otherwise normal, i.e. coloration, shape, etc. I'll update you when the butterfly emerges. I'm hoping it's normal and able bodied.

Good luck with yours!

[Mom2RJA]

Did you isolate it from other chrysalises? I'm running out of places to keep them away from the others. I'm thinking maybe this one can go with the others since it looks so normal?

[blazing star]

I didn't isolate it as it appeared to have no other sign of disease and Mona thought it was a probable injury. The chrysalis is otherwise normal.

[chanceychelsey]

I had one that had the same thing happen to it last year. It emerged as a healthy butterfly.

Good Luck.

Waystation 927
Tottenham, Ontario

[blazing star]

I had the same results as Chancey. I just released it today and there were no impairments to the butterfly. It was completely normal. I just release it about an hour ago and it flew off just fine.

[Mona Miller]

: O Sigh of relief. I get anxious and nervous when problems arise.

[Mom2RJA]

That's great to hear! My chrysalis looks totally normal, but there is a tiny dot in the gold band that looks slightly red right where that droplet was. I guess I'll know in a few days...

[Mom2RJA]

Here is a series of photos of my caterpillar/chrysalis with this issue:

[Mona Miller]

I've never seen any thing like this. Thanks for sharing. I wonder what is going on.

[blazing star]

That is exactly what mine looked like and that fluid drop stayed on the chrysalis the entire time. My drop was further down on the neck of the caterpillar and when it transitioned to the chrysalis, it was at the tip of the hanging chrysalis. I hope yours turns out OK, as mine did. Please keep us posted.

[Mom2RJA]

Blazing star, that drop stayed on your chrysalis the entire time until the butterfly emerged? Mine dried within a day or two, but left a tiny mark where it had been. But that doesn't show anymore. This chrysalis looks totally normal now.

[blazing star]

Yes, the drop was there the entire time but I didn't see it the day the butterfly emerged. The chysalis is still hanging there and it's no longer on it. Hopefully, your little guy is OK, too!

[Mom2RJA]

Here is a photo of this chrysalis today. No sign of the droplet anymore. I'm thinking in another day or two we'll have a butterfly! I hope it turns out okay!

[Mom2RJA]

She's a beautiful butterfly! I came downstairs this morning just in time to watch her inflate her wings. I'll add a photo later. She's perfect!

[Mona Miller]

I never tire of watching the whole cycle and I am awed every time; although, I've watched hundreds, the one I'm watching is always like the first.

Congratulations! I wish we had a confetti smile.

[Mom2RJA]

I agree, Mona, although I haven't watched hundreds yet. But I did get to watch 8 today! Here's another photo of the one with the fluid from last night, when I knew we'd get to meet her today:



And here she is as I found her this morning:



And finally, here's "Droplet"!

[Mona Miller]

She's a tiny bit less symmetrical on the left, but other wise perfect. Let us know how she flies.

[blazing star]

Happy Birthday, Droplet!