Monitoring Danaus plexippus populations in Oswego County for the presence of Ophryocystis elektroscirrha

Abstract

Recent Danaus plexippus (monarch butterfly) population decline is attributed to Ophryocystis elektroscirrha (O.E.), a protozoan parasite that impacts pupal development transmitted during larval stages and carried by adult butterflies. We sampled adult Monarch butterflies as well as reared caterpillars to evaluate the prevalence and infection rate of O.E. in .