Monarch adult being stung by a wasp

[Janrlarson]

This evening, I noticed an adult Monarch jumping/fluttering frantically in the lawn. When I went to inspect a saw a wasp (I think) stinging its abdomen. I flicked it off and tried to give the butterfly a boost back into the air, but it just continued to flutter and then fall to the ground. Has anyone ever seen this before?

[Farfalla]

I have never seen this.But I found a mention of this on the site: http://www.monarchwatch.org/biology/pred3.htm
I have seen wasps seeming to "bother" Monarch adults as they feed.

[Janrlarson]

Thanks for the info. I did see another wasp chase away an adult Monarch today as well. I also found this thread: http://www.monarchwatch.org/forums/view ... 406f7b6ab0

[Farfalla]

UGH. It's amazing that ANY Monarchs make it to adulthood with all of the predation & diseases they face. Well.. it's just one more reason to continue to raise them and relase them when they are fully able to fly. After that.....
If they are strong ..they will survive.