I earlier mentioned that the chrysalides will be ready for butterflies to emerge by Monday to Wednesday but only one of them has turned dark indicating that a butterfly has formed. That’s what I think anyway... I hope the caterpillar was not infected and turning into a tachinid fly instead. I don’t see any shape of the butterfly so I’m really worried with this one. No breach on the shell but I’ll make sure to be quick in removing if it does turned up to be the worst scenario. #monarch via Instagram ift.tt/2OzXcrA
I’m sad to report that my worst fear had come true. Second chrysalis was indeed infected with a tachinid fly. This maggot came out of it last night when my video was turned off. The leaking chrysalis crumbled as I carefully removed it this morning. The caterpillar was already doomed even before it turned into a chrysalis. This is the reason why people rescue monarch eggs in the wild to hatch them safely indoors, to prevent tflys from infecting caterpillars. But this is just one of the many predators of caterpillars. That’s just how nature works. #monarchpredators #tachinidflylarvae via Instagram ift.tt/2OC05ba
via Instagram ift.tt/2LGEilk
