Raising Monarchs - OE Parasite Testing (Help The Monarch Butterfly)

[@alexandriakruger9412]

OMG my mind is blown! I had no idea this is such a huge issue until now. I’ve been raising monarchs for a while but never really had problems once they tuned into an adult butterfly until this year. I had about 41 chrysalis until about a week ago and I’m noticing a lot of them don’t fly away and they’re flopping around or I’m finding them dead in my yard. I have a strong feeling this is the problem. Thank you so much for making this video I will be looking into this method of testing. I feel so passionately about monarchs and I want to do all I can to help.

[@traceetheisen-henny266]

Hi Mr. Lund. Noticed this was mentioned in a comment below, just wanted to let you know my experience. I am raising Monarchs in the Southern California area and this last season, I had cats all the way through January. Released my last Monarch on Feb 12, 2017. I DID notice that as we went through Winter and I was still finding eggs and first instars, as they grew, they were MUCH darker and different looking than the "Spring/Summer" Cats. Per your suggestion below about them adapting to less sunlight - that is what I read on-line AND observed on my own. I thought at first they all might be sick...but that was not the case. Happy to report - release about 30 healthy Monarchs from NOV-FEB.

[@MrLundScience]

That sounds like a great couple of months. The numbers are down in the winter in California, I'd expect, but it's cool that you get to make it a year round effort. I'm already gearing up and looking forward to the new season!

[@mister8800]

Ya we pretty much have monarchs all year in Orange County. Our monarchs don't make that trip to Mexico anyway, so it shouldn't be too big a deal.

[@mindiranae]

I just want to thank you for all the time and effort you put into these videos. I just started raising them and it's so helpful to have a bunch of great and needed info all in one place. Thanks for your integrity and honesty and most of all your passion for these sweet creatures! By helping us you are helping the entire population! Blessings :)

[@MrLundScience]

Hey, very happy to help! I appreciate back at ya, and any others, the effort put in to using the info. The videos mean nothing without people being willing to roll up their sleeves and get busy. So, thank you!

[@youjohnnie]

Your videos are the absolute best videos for raising monarchs I can find. I have watched them all, they are the best!

[@MrLundScience]

Much appreciated! I'll try to keep the standard.

[@ellentomologist4850]

As a microbiology major who's planning to switch into entomology, this video made me very happy. Absolutely wonderful video! Thank you so much for the information.

[@MrLundScience]

Awesome news, and glad I could help!

[@andrewmerwin3844]

Excellent video! Thanks for the help. For future videos, I wanted to note that Oe are not bacteria but protozoans. The mistake doesn't influence the utility of the video in the least!

[@danieloneill1510]

I really enjoy watching your videos. You get straight to the point. This is my second season on raising Monarchs. First time raising from egg stage. I like to raise 5-10 Monarchs because its enough for me for now. They just started making a comeback here in central Vermont in the last couple of years. I was able to see the 3rd stage butterfly and witness the laying of eggs this year.

[@MrLundScience]

That's very awesome! Second season already! I remember, after doing this once, I knew so much more by just the 2nd year. I think that's the transitional year where you know so much more than the previous year. It's exciting, and the confidence is much more there. I hope you're enjoying this season. And there's still weeks to go!

[@hubbardesol]

Thank you for the informative video. I only rear small numbers of monarchs for educational purposes, but I plan to get a microscope to test the few I rear and to show others how to test. Thanks again!

[@audreysenghas4138]

This is very educational. I will test my butterflies before releasing them. This is my second season of raising monarchs. Your videos have made a large difference in how I am doing it this year. Thank you for making these videos.

[@MrLundScience]

You're very welcome! Good luck!

[@garytimmerman2273]

I started raising Monarchs a couple years ago. I had 15 this year. Very exciting. Just learning about OE. Thank you so much for your informative videos. A great help!!

[@MrLundScience]

Very welcome! Thanks for checking them out.

[@danlee6712]

Mr Lund, this has nothing to do with Parasites, but one of the Monarchs after it came out of the chrystalist, the very end of its tail got stuck and couldn't unstuck itself, I felt bad for it because it was just hanging there trying to get out, it was almost completely out but for a bit of the tail. I watched one of your videos about deformaties and you mentioned just leave them alone and let nature take its course. By afternoon when my husband came home and saw my sad face, he helped me and tried to unstuck it, iit fell to the ground so he moved it onto a milkweed plant and stayed there for hours with the stuck chrystalis, then finally I saw it on ground dead. This was an all day event. I was surprised it lasted as long as it did. It was sad to watch it struggling. Dan Lee's wife. S

[@MrLundScience]

Yeah...None of it is good when it happens. And that's why I have to say, in the "When Adults Can't Fly" video, I don't like any of the options described, but I don't dislike them either. There just isn't an ideal one for this situation. What you described is why some prefer Option #3 to Option #2. Again, I can respect any of the three, as they all have logic to them. People need to make their own choice as to what they prefer to do, and what they are comfortable with. Some have already told me, though, that in the past, they have done one of the options, and after having tried one or more a few times, changed their minds and go with a different one. It's understandable why, as they all have downsides.

[@danlee6712]

Thank You Mr Lund, great videos, clear and very informative.

[@MrLundScience]

Oh, no apology necessary! There's MANY comments. It can be tough to find where they are from time to time.

[@lorettalynchgoldenberg4612]

Thank you for the education & helping the species!!

[@vickifisher4061]

Thank you for this information. I did not know about OE. I live in Florida and raised over 200 monarchs last year. I will start checking for OE on my babies.

[@MrLundScience]

I was likewise once in your shoes. I hope this helps!

[@SaunieHolloway]

excellent! thank you for caring so much about the butterflies.

[@MrLundScience]

Hey, thank you for also caring enough to check out the videos and spread the word of their plight.

[@marciepapadakis5908]

Thank you so much for your videos!! This is my second year. Last year I raised only 5, and so far this year I’ve released 16 and every one has been free of the parasite thanks to your incredibly helpful, clear and informative videos. At first I was horrified at the idea of using the bleach solution to disinfect the eggs and leaves (I was already using it to clean tools, trays, floral tubes, etc) but I believe that has made all the difference. I’ve also adopted your record keeping regimen. As a scientist by education, raising these beautiful butterflies is satisfying on so many levels. Thanks again!

[@b.matthewgood5687]

Hi Mr. Lund. My wife and I began raising monarchs this season, sort of by accident. I found and watched all of your videos on monarchs and have found them extremely helpful. Especially this one. Using your sampling technique and a microscope we are testing all of our butterflies. Unfortunately we had two test positive for OE this morning and had to use your suggested technique for euthanasia. We plan to continue and are already planning to plant large beds of common milkweed on our property and encouraging others to plant as well. I appreciate your efforts and applaud your videos.

[@MrLundScience]

Hey thanks, and welcome aboard! Glad to hear that you're doing what you can, and have found a new (addictive) passion! Good luck in your efforts!

[@PepperFreePlanner]

Thank you❤

[@sunnyb2205]

LOVE your series! You are an excellent communicator and teacher. Thank you!

[@sbee8987]

Your videos are absolutely fantastic. I'm in New Zealand. I've learnt so much. Thank you Mr Lund. You definitely have a way of explaining things that even a beginner can easily understand :)

[@MrLundScience]

Strong words, and I'll take those to heart. Thank you!

[@_WilliamWood]

@@MrLundScience I just started testing and the first one I tested is infected. Idk what I should do with it. euthanize it? Idk the humanist way to do that.

[@MrLundScience]

@@_WilliamWood Whether or not to euthanize is something the individual should decide for themselves. I do recommend, though, being informed first before making the decision. You may wish to see this video on what varying opinions from experts exist, as not all of them fully agree on the details: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4iolqqqpMtmrZo If after watching that video, you decide you do think euthanizing is called for, here is the video on how to do so in a way that most entomologists agree is humane: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qX3JgZZvotGbZ5Y Hope that helps!

[@_WilliamWood]

@@MrLundScience thank you I watched both the videos and it helped me decide to release it. Because of the talk of resistance. The monarch is a male and is heavily infested but acts normal and looks fine. Thanks again

[@dawnhudson1990]

Love your videos and information. I live in Jacksonville, FL, and after one of my foster kids gave me a milkweed plant, it started an entire series of events (milkweed, too many caterpillars, more milkweed, more, more, more). We are now building a large greenhouse for growing milkweed and up to hundreds of Monarchs that we assist with protected caterpillars, separate the larger, then chrysalis, etc. Your info is so helpful and I am off to find a microscope now. I am thankful for your resources and will become more involved locally with planting milkweed like Johnny Appleseed. (Hmmm...'Dawnie Milkweed"?) Keep up the good work! It is helping many more than the ones that leave comments. Namaste

[@MrLundScience]

Wow Dawn, that's amazingly awesome. An entire greenhouse? You are definitely committed! I thought doing the first 5 videos was going to be the start and stop of the video end of this project. I never expected so many to want to help and get involved. I also didn't realize just how many topics are out there and worth their own video. I don't ever want to waste anyone's time with making a video just to make one, so you won't see that from me. Still, there's definitely some Monarch topics I want to explore this summer, and shall. Can't wait for them to get up here to Michigan. In the meantime, I know that the Florida residents and travelers have Dawnie Milkweed to help them out!

[@Shrimpo7]

What Ms. Hudson said about the help and education your videos provide is so true. I started “hosting” milkweed, caterpillars, chrysalis and butterflies in my back yard in Miami, FL. I was pretty much a “hands off” kind of guy, let them do their own thing. It was a roaring success. Predators were few (the local frogs), and the caterpillars would devastate the entire yard (planted lots of milkweed) but it was great to see the chrysalis and butterflies emerge. Now, I’ve been living in central Florida and the first 6 years was pretty much a repeat of the Miami experience, however; the last two years, the monarchs practically dissapeared. They are back now, but in much fewer numbers. I noticed a lot of wasps, and have seen them killing caterpillars. In frustration, I brought a few inside, some raised from eggs. They are in my apartment, cocooning and flying around until I can release them. It really is encouraging to know there are more folks out there who want to help the monarchs and the environment. If you have any advice on how to raise monarchs indoors... would love to hear it. Thanks

[@JulesVandenBerge1yoyojules]

Hi there! Thank you a million times for your post on Monarchs!!! Last year was my first year of really taking raising them seriously, and thanks to my husband and daughter helping out we set free 101 lady monarchs, and 76 man monarchs! Seasons have changed! This last year, I had not 4 but 6 generations of monarchs. I finally had to stop collecting eggs because it was just not sustainable, so had to leave nature due it's course. Will pick it up in March-ish. I've shared your video's to hundreds in Facebook groups that I am in. They also are having monarchs not leave. Although I have purchased a microscope, I am having a really tough time identifying OE virus, even though I'm pretty sure this is what these last generations have. Tachinid flies have slaughtered pretty much any caterpillar that was brought in, so very sad. I hope someone is working on a remedy to kill them! Huge controversy: Mexican/Tropical milkweed! Would love your feedback! The 178 I set free where all on tropical, and they are out on if it is actually a good thing. We planted natives, and NO Butterflies wanted anything to do with it! Going to try it again in the spring! Thank you, thank you again for your helpful video's! Jules

[@MrLundScience]

Hey Jules! So glad that these videos have been helpful. Thank *you* for taking up the efforts and having success with it! As for Tropical Milkweed, I actually have a video all set and edited, but am still waiting to hear back from a party involved for permission with some of their quotes. Once I do, that'll be up and posted ASAP. Your numbers are impressive! Keep up the good work.

[@JulesVandenBerge1yoyojules]

MrLundScience I really am struggling with the milkweed thing. Mexico is just an hour south of me and not knowing I was not supposed to plant it we planted and grew a ton. We had natives but the Monarchs would not touch it. I’m in several So Cal Monarch and milkweed groups and I’m excited to share what you have learned! Interesting that when it is cooler there are less Tachinid flies. They are still here but no where near the amount in the summer.

[@JulesVandenBerge1yoyojules]

MrLundScience I have spent months researching the whole tropical milkweed thing and most recent info is they are still up in arms! I test mine for OE and not showing up here. (Tachinid yes horribly so!) we do actively cut our milkweed back and of course always was before serving. So much controversy and I’ve seen “Citizen Scientists” working currently with scientist to report their findings and I personally think tropical milkweed is getting a low score from inaccurate sources. In 2016 Mexico reported a huge increase in Monarchs. This could just be a Southern California thing. I still have eggs, caterpillars, Monarchs including them mating. I’ve been in So California most of my life and have watched our “winters” pretty much disappear over the last 5-6 years. Literally in tank tops and flip flops! I ponder if we raise tropical efficiency, that we have an opportunity to increase the Monarchs #’s! We may have to adjust our plan with global warming going on. I to use you as a main point of info but also research other’s research and the conflict is crazy!

[@MrLundScience]

Can you explain what you have heard as to why you are not supposed to plant it?

[@MrLundScience]

Let me definitely be clear on this one: I am not an authority. I always want to be clear about that because there are many entomologists and ecologists working the *real* science who know much more than I do. That being said, those experts are not in 100% agreement. This tends to be the indicator that the science is cutting edge, and not all of the data is there yet to make the most logical decisions. Studies on Tropical Milkweed, and how it affects both OE and the Monarchs that feast upon it are still being done. The video that I can't release yet tries to flesh out what some in such fields have to say on it. (Not sure still when it'll be out, but soon...)

[@PhoenyxRysing]

Thank you for making these videos! Very helpful, especially since two of mine from this past season showed signs of being heavily infected. Will definitely be testing future batches. Don't forget to tag these guys!

[@MrLundScience]

Not forgotten! I'll be ordering the tags in spring.

[@CapricornTiger25]

I just tested for OE for the first time! It was quite fascinating. Yesterday I purchased a portable WiFi digital microscope. It has 1920 x 1080p with 1000x. It got here this evening so, I just did the tape thing with my 5 day old butterflies and they were evidently clean. No spores! Now if it would stop raining I would release them, but for now they have to be patient and feed of their organic banana/orange juice mush and flap around my apartment! I also have an outdoor butterfly room they can fly around in as long as the weather is good. I usually release around 300-500 a year but now I can be more careful to just release healthy ones. Thank you for your tutorial, I will share to other monarch lovers! By the way I live in Long Beach, Ca. I have monarchs all year around.

[@MrLundScience]

Indeed, the testing can be rather easy to do with the right equipment. For a long time, I was using a heavy duty microscope, but have had success with a handheld portable one! It's cool that these have become much more available and affordable in the last ten years! kzbin.info/www/bejne/aWOsoqyun7SInK8 Thank you for being so active in helping the Monarchs!

[@kirstencarter567]

Thankyou so much for helping mentor me on my journey of becoming a monarch mother❤I’m definitely getting a microscope and testing it’s important for the future monarchs

[@cinaminlee2148]

Thanks MrLund for all your instructional videos. I was hoping I escaped the 30% rate of OE infections in California and was learning through the stages of all the diseases up until they morph into butterfly but then after Chrysalis 40, I had a deformed monarch. So even though I started to take scotch tape samples of the ones I released, I didn't have a microscope to confirm. Well, motivated now after my crippled butterfly,I got a microscope and sure enough I found the spores. I wondered if there was another way to detect and I put the shell of the chrysalises under the microscope and sure enough, found the spores in the shell. Ignorance was bliss but now I'll have to do some soul searching regarding what to do with the ones born healthy but infected. I even bought 3 varieties of native CA milkweed and am going to see if I can "dust" for spores on the leaves directly as I don't want to destroy them all just as I planted them. sigh. Thankfully my other sample was clean. so there is hope.

[@fatimaariza1596]

How do you "dust" for spores? Thank you

[@thelittlethings8420]

Hi Rich, love all of your great videos. This is my first year raising them and the first 2 were released seemingly healthy. The 3rd one was in the Chrysalis stage and had turned black/transparent for more than 48 hours. On day 14, I noticed the bottom was split as he was trying to eclose. Hours went by and nothing. I thought I would help him out by gently lifting part of the chrysalis. He now was able to eclose, but seemed to weak to hang on to anything. I left him in the mesh enclosure close to the side so he could climb. His wings never uncurled nor filled with fluid from his abdomen. I feel that I am to blame because maybe he needed to strengthen his wings while in the chrysalis by pushing against the sides in order to eclose and by me giving him an opening, he was unable to. He was unable to crawl around and kept falling over because his tiny wings were partly curled around his body. I feel so sick. I euthanized him as it wasn't fair to leave him like this. Could you please do a video on what to do and what not to do in this situation? I also have pictures of his tiny wings if you'd like to use them in your video.

[@MrLundScience]

Hey Sandra. I think the evidence of him/her not being able to eclose in a normal time on his/her own would support the idea that it was not your fault. It may have been a weak one. This would be one I'd definitely want to test for OE. This weakness may have been due to an OE infection. I don't know that I'd make a video on it, as 1) I've never encountered this, and don't wish to make videos on topics I don't really know about first hand, and 2) I think I would have done exactly what you did. Don't trouble yourself. These things do happen. I don't know what you could have done differently.

[@thelittlethings8420]

Thank you for putting my mind at ease. You really get attached to them and when you lose one and believe you're at fault is gut wrenching. This is my first year raising them and just released the last one yesterday. A female. She was beautiful!

[@MrLundScience]

I've felt similarly. I never mean to sound cold or unattached when I say things like, "These things happen," to people. It sucks. You hate it. But, if you do this enough, you'll see it again, and you have to get emotionally prepared for that. It comes with the territory.

[@janetmcswain4595]

Thanks so much. I am a total newbie, releasing one male in the early spring, and now (September - in SC) have 25 chrysalides with one that just eclosed this morning. I have purchased a microscope to check for OE. This was very helpful in letting me know how.

[@mprice1129]

Mr Lund. Thank you for your videos on Monarchs. Through your excellent information my wife and I raised several this fall and will be ready to try it again next year and do some tagging with monarch watch. I have found the cheap USB microscopes on Ebay shipped from China (around $10 US) they are marketed as 1000x or 1600x and have more than adequate magnification to see the spores and will also capture and save the images . I use these cheap cameras at work to inspect small electronic components and such and they are remarkably good for the cost. I got one to keep at home for Monarchs.

[@MrLundScience]

Very cool indeed. And yes, more affordable options exist out there. Made a video showing this method again, with a microscope that's a bit easier to get a hold of: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aWOsoqyun7SInK8

[@trevorhowell1984]

Thank you for imparting all of your experience and information. About to test my first Monarch for O.E. Wish us luck!

[@trevorhowell1984]

Of the three that emerged today, zero infected!

[@MrLundScience]

Great to hear! Thank you for taking it to the level of OE testing. The more I'm in touch with those who study Monarchs and the difficulties they face, the more I hear how important OE testing is. Very cool of you to put in that added time!

[@pollyhorlander7389]

Thank you soooo much! I’ve only been in this since September but I’ve released about 80. I’m going to start checking them with my little electronic microscope. I hope it’s sensitive enough.

[@RobertMacCready]

Excellent video and very informative. Thanks so much!!

[@myjosephaccount767]

my best type of caterpillar i love is the plain tiger butterfly the asian monarch because where i live in is Jeddah Saudi Arabia and i see alot of moths and butterflies flying everyday and i'm very happy for them but i've seen pesticides going on outside.

[@Lseashel1]

Very informative. Thank you for raising and freeing healthy monarchs.

[@MrLundScience]

You're very welcome. Happy to do it!

[@mariaathanassiou5264]

Hi. Thanks for the videos. I was wondering if instead of testing the belly of the butterfly, one could examine the empty shell of the chrysalis for OE under the microscope.

[@dorothyharrington7791]

Good info, thank you for doing these videos

[@shirleylamontagne6568]

Thank you for these videos. I can understand why the infected Monarchs can not be released. I have been raising Monarchs for 7 years and am happy that they are coming back. This year I have had some chrysalis that are yellow at the top and green on the bottom . I have never had this happen before so I am puzzled as to what has happened to these chrysalis. I plan on testing the Monarchs that I have as soon as I can get a micrescope .Thank you again we can never know enough about raising Monarchs

[@MrLundScience]

Greetings Shirley! Brace yourself, as discoloration of the chrysalis usually does mean OE, if not NPV. (Most often, if they have NPV, they don't make it to the chrysalis stage...) Great to hear how dedicated you are! This is my 7th year as well!

[@dd579]

You got me started raising monarchs three years ago when I started surfing the net over morning coffee with my husband as we were discussing why we don't see monarchs like we used to when we were young. I found your videos and began raising them that summer. I released 62 in 2015, last year not so much, only 7 and I'm on my way to about 80+ this year Overall I've had really good success. I have one chrysalide that formed perfectly the day we left town but when we got back 4 days later, it had brown and black coloring to about a 1/3 of it. I've never seen this. I don't know if a spider got to it or if it may have OE. I don't have a testing kit, but will have one for next year as my numbers are increasing. I'd love to send you a pic of it to see what you think.

[@MrLundScience]

If it's brown/black, there's definitely an infection of some sort. I've never had one turn those colors that ended up having the adult emerge. If you ever want to send photos, the easiest option is if you have a Twitter account. My handle on there is @MrLundScience. That, or, you could always post photos somewhere and provide the link to it. I'm glad that the videos helped you out that one day when you and your husband were wondering. So many have told me that before they heard about Monarchs in the headlines, they had already started to notice them not around. I really hope we can see their numbers significantly increase in the coming years!

[@ratgirl44]

I had two enclose this week with weakness. They both had a hard time griping anything. This lead me to think they may have OE. I was wondering if the responsible thing to do was the euthanize since I don’t want to help the spread of OE. However I am not 100% sure that they had it. Looks like I am going to have to try and find a microscope!

[@TechGrl18]

This video is so helpful! I am doing this from now on!

[@MrLundScience]

Happy to have provided it. And if you don't have a heavy duty microscope already, you may wish to check out this "alternative" way to test: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aWOsoqyun7SInK8

[@kerrystone5272]

Thanks for this series. Will start testing with the next batch which will be enclosing in the next couple of days.

[@suimin100]

Enjoy your video a lot. I am a new monarch lover and trying to raise monarch in my yard

[@MrLundScience]

Awesome stuff! Good luck with it this year! I'm excited too for a new season coming up, and there's plenty of topics I hope to cover with some future videos.

[@evelynhackett9830]

I'm about to journey forth and start testing. I've ordered a butterfly net, a microscope, and am about to apply for a testing kit from MonarchHealth. I'm anxious about all this, but also realize just how important it is to do. I raise all my Monarchs outside.

[@sophiebassett6456]

Hey, love your vid I'm starting up a monarch project at my local church in New Zealand 🇳🇿 we're getting a butterfly castle from The Monarch Butterfly Trust NZ and some tags to tag them with hopefully we'll get some butterflies this year we already have 15 eggs

[@MrLundScience]

Sounds awesome! I hope to see New Zealand one day. THANK YOU for Ernest Rutherford!!!

[@sophiebassett6456]

MrLundScience beautiful here in summer full of butterfly's

[@conniemaheswaran6611]

MrLundScience Hello! I've Been Raising Monarchs For A Long Time, 😩And I Enjoyed It Very Much But Some of Them Had The OE Infection Please Tell Me What To Do With Them And I Will Be Posting a Video Of Me Raising Them When They Come Right Now Its March 12, 2017 When Do You Think They Will Come Please Answers These!!!😅Also When The Butterfly Had The OE I Only Noticed It When It Came Out😩

[@MrLundScience]

Greetings Connie. I'm curious from your comment, how were you able to notice that some of your Monarchs had OE? Did you use a tape method and a microscope similar to what I show in my video? If a Monarch has OE, the most responsible thing to do is difficult for some. The animal must not be returned into the wild population, and thus, euthanized. The easiest way to do this is to place the butterfly in a container (an envelope works well for this) and place it in the freezer. Freezing insects is considered the most humane way to euthanize them. As for when the Monarchs are coming your way, that greatly depends upon your location. Close to the southern US/Mexico boarder, late April and early May is when the start crossing over. For us Michiganders, the Monarchs aren't around here until sometime in June, though the numbers are more plentiful starting in late June. Hope that helps! Good luck this year!

[@conniemaheswaran6611]

MrLundScience I Didn't See The OE Until It Transformed Out The Chrysalis And I Live In IL

[@rcmor1]

Great video. I live in the warm, muggy Houston area, and we do have OE here too. I do bleach my eggs and leaves and have no problems. However, wouldn't it be wiser to place the bleached eggs/leaf on a different plate, rather than the same one which has held the unbleached leaves/eggs? If those leaves are carrying spores of OE, they could possibly be on that plate and would you not possibly recontaminate the bleached leaf? I always place my bleached leaf, with its egg, on a different surface -- a clean paper towel. and then bleach the container that held the leaves to be safe. Just a thought. Thanks for such helpful videos.

[@MrLundScience]

HEY! You're absolutely right! I was thinking so much about how I wanted to show the bleaching system, I completely neglected this part. Normally, I place them on fresh paper towel, but (though it doesn't look like it in the video) it was windy enough that day, I wanted to use the plate. The plate, being curved, helped to shield the eggs from the wind. I'll be sure to mention this in an upcoming video. Could you do me a favor, though? Your comment, I think, was probably meant for the latest video on OE Parasite Prevention. Can you copy and past it as a comment on that one? That way, others can benefit from reading it there. Once you do that, I'll re-reply to it, and then delete it from this video. Thanks for the help in pointing this out. I'm not a fan of my errors, and know that I *will* make them. Thus, I appreciate being notified of them so things can improve!

[@mr.personality7762]

Rich, I meant make the leaves, into a paste or pile, ground up if you will, and see if they were willing willing to eat it. By neat if they would, you could make a feeding pile sort of.

[@MrLundScience]

I see what you mean, now, but again, what might be the advantage? The scientist in me can't help but want to ask, what would be the advantage compared to just keeping the leaves "as is" and letting them do their thing? I don't pretend to *know* what it'd be like, as I haven't done this, but what I'm picturing is a lot of the Milkweed's latex sap secreting in the pile (and my blender), and if caterpillars are crawling on it, getting that latex sap on their bodies more than they normally would. Maybe that wouldn't cause them a problem, but if they got enough of it on them, it could. Holes in the caterpillar body, holes too small for us to easily see, take in air and that's how the caterpillar "breathes". I use quotation marks there because they don't inhale/exhale, but instead, air naturally gets in there, and oxygen gets dissolved into the body fluids that way.

[@kn781]

Thank you for this series!!! Love it!

[@MrLundScience]

Happy to help!

[@silverspring625]

I've been raising Monarchs for the past 3 years and have only had about 14 a year . This year the Monarchs arrived early and my Milkweed was only inches tall. They littered the milkweed with eggs. I now have 38 caterpillars inside in various stages of growth and when I go out to gather leaves for feeding it's getting hard to find leaves without cats on them already . I have 8 that are going to the Chrysalis stage any day now so I will have to search quickly for microscope. Plus if it ever stops raining I will be scouting the road sides and fields for more milkweed as mine are being eaten up quickly. Thanks for all of your information.

[@MrLundScience]

That's a challenge. I've heard from others that they have gotten into territory much earlier than the Milkweed has been able to support it. I wish you luck, very much. Hope things turn out well. In the end, you can only do what you can do.

[@silverspring625]

It didn't turn out well all of the cats were infected with EO and died either at the transforming to Chrysalis stage or deformed butterflies. with only 2 fully formed butterflies which had flight issues . I would not have released them even if they could have flown because of the EO in all of the others. :( a very sad spring.

[@walterlang151]

Thanks for the great information in the video, but I could not help but notice that the microscope shown in the demonstration did not appear to be plugged in.

[@MrLundScience]

That's correct. The plug is only for the light on that microscope. As these were note cards, not glass slides, ambient light is easily enough for the human eye to see. There were times I shown a light on the card so that it was easier to see for the video, but otherwise, yep, no need to light the cards from the bottom.

[@triciablich]

As always ! Great videos! So informative!

[@MrLundScience]

Thanks Tricia!

[@youjohnnie]

Please tell me the make and model of your microscope. I'm getting one. I am in east Texas, Sabine County Texas, and so the monarchs on the way to you come through here in the spring and pass through in the fall. BTW I read recently that in addition to us needing more milkweed, we also need more nectar plants to support them on their fall migration. I'm planting lots of Loquat trees. Last fall my one Loquat tree, which blooms when the monarchs are coming through in the fall, was loaded with monarchs. After seeing that I have planted a dozen more and will be ordering another dozen this fall. I'm also planning to help more caterpillars in the spring too, I need a microscope.

[@MrLundScience]

Hey Johnnie! You're absolutely correct, another vital way to help the Monarchs, and many other pollinators is to be planting more nectar producing flowers. And those that bloom in the fall are especially helpful for the fall migration. As for the telescope, the one I use in this video is pretty large and bulky. I don't know if you want one of those or not. Don't get me wrong, a high quality microscope is pretty fun to have. Still, these days, hand held pocket microscopes are pretty affordable. Technology has made them easy to acquire. So, if you Google search (or Amazon search, or eBay, or whatever) the words "hand held microscope" or "pocket microscope", many affordable options are out there. I made a second video showing how to test with such a microscope, which is here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aWOsoqyun7SInK8 As for the make and model of the microscope in this video, perhaps I'm overly cautious, but I won't say what it is. See, KZbin can be pretty funny and particular about endorsing products. If I made a video where I talked a lot about a particular microscope and mentioned what it is and where to get it and why I love it so much, even though that company never paid me to say those things, KZbin could still make the claim that I am endorsing that product as if I *were* being paid by that company. If KZbin feels that way, they can do things to that video to have it played more or less often, and to gain $ from it that isn't theirs. While I obviously have not made such a video, I still try to stay very far away from anything that could be perceived as endorsing a product. Thus, even in comments sections, I don't mention products by name. I hope you understand. It's nothing personal.

[@1111tiffo]

Greetings Master Monarch, appreciate all your wisdom and videos so very much. As a newbie, I give aa tiny background: I'm a longtime petsitter/dogwalker in southern California. A few months ago I was walking dogs at a closed (due to covid) elementary school. i found two butterflies with deformed wings. A woman who seemed to know a thing or two about monarchs described OE and told me how to freeze euth them. I took them home and created a sanctuary for them. They lived for two months with healthy appetites and activity. After they passed I disinfected everything I or they touched (I'm a product of covid for godsake) Soooo....Do we really have to kill them?.

[@amberscott1867]

Never plugged the microscope in lol but seriously, thank you for this! I'm going to start testing my babies!

[@katekburns3495]

I need help with mine. One of my caterpillars turned black. Some of the cocoons too Most of the butterflies are dying. But I’m in a cycle that they keep laying eggs. Help.

[@bardofely]

Really well presented! Thank you for getting this info out!

[@MrLundScience]

Thank *you* for checking it out! If OE Parasites are a concern, check out the newer video I made on preventing them: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pYu8q62ZfM6NiKM

[@mduke555]

Excellent information! Thanks!

[@MrLundScience]

Happy to provide.

[@neilwyllie1328]

Dear sir, My husband and I have enjoyed your videos and used much of your advice with our babies. But I need to ask a pressing question, so I hope you will read this soon. We have 81 chrysalises. So far 2 have hatched . I have attempted to feed them your honey mixture and they do not seem interested. So at this point I have released just the two. What are we going to do when there are 30 hatching at once. If you want to look I have a post on Florida Gardening Friends. Please advise us. We want all of these beauties to survive. Thanks, Karen

[@ruthsetters6567]

Hi I would like to know when they start their migration from New York

[@slushiecat7727]

I’m looking to get a microscope, and yours seems to be working very well!, not looking for you to advertise anything but if you wouldn’t mind, what brand was your microscope?

[@MrLundScience]

I'm sorry, but I won't say brand names. KZbin can be picky (and not consistent) on what they consider endorsements of products. However, before you make a purchase, you may wish to see this option: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aWOsoqyun7SInK8

[@tinablum9089]

Thank you for the info!

[@terri4558]

Last year, I raised and released nearly 100 butterflies. I knew about OE, but was under the mistaken impression that it was visible when they had it, by the clamped wings and other deformities, so I only euthanized one. This year, since I was informed that I am out of the migratory path and raising monarchs in Central Florida is unnecessary (as in not helpful to the cause), I was not planning to raise any. But here I am, with 20 already, and the third one out had the tell-tale clamped wings. That's when I came to research further and found your video. I don't want to add to the myriad problems the monarch is facing, but I don't own a microscope and don't know how to proceed from here. Will an inexpensive microscope from Amazon (by inexpensive, I mean $40 range) be adequate to see the spores? I know nothing about this, and just want to finish up and get out before I do more harm than good.

[@MrLundScience]

Amazon could be helpful, but I know I'd want to check local Universities first. They sometimes are getting rid of old equipment when new stuff comes in, and they sell it at great prices. If you can get a microscope that has 400x magnification, you should be able to see the spores without a problem.

[@terri4558]

thank you for answering. I'll call around before I order from Amazon.

[@theresamarie2608]

Thank you SO MUCH for such a clear, informative video about OE. This is my first year growing milkweed (about 40 plants in my yard started from seed), raising 10 caterpillars this time. First four are now chrysalides, due to emerge within one week. Even though I am not raising a "crop" of monarchs, I will still find a microscope to borrow to check for OE before releasing them. As you can imagine, I will be praying and keeping my fingers crossed that all is well/healthy!How do you euthanize adult monarchs?

[@MrLundScience]

Thanks for the kind words. For euthanizing, the best method most entomologists agree upon as the most humane is to put the butterfly in an envelope (with wings folded upwards) so that it will not struggle, and then place them in the freezer. Sad, but sometimes necessary.

[@michellemooresings]

@@MrLundScience oh wait, with the wings up? Oh man. I literally just had to euthanize one. I've had to in years past from Technid flies infecting them. Today one eclosed and fell. It crumpled a bit. I fixed it up pretty well with a little bit of tape on the two outter wings, but someone mentioned the abdomen didn't look right. :( Then I realized that it's proboscis was MISSING. Do you know what they feel when freezing them? I checked a few minutes afterwards and it was still alive; and it was killing me. I get extremely sad. I'm gonna start doing what you recommended. Thank you

[@StormPhoenixRising]

Microscopes can be purchased at hobby one craft stores for a reasonable price.

[@MrLundScience]

Truth! Yeah, one thing that has gotten much (much) more affordable in the past ten years has been microscopes. I'm only using the large bulkier one in these videos because it was free from school. (It was broken, they said I could have it...I repaired it...brought it back to the school for them to have it back, but by then, they had ordered brand new ones and told me I could still keep it!) But I think perhaps I should get a pocket one, just to show how easy/affordable they are. Lots of great options out there!

[@amandaschulz833]

Link to a pocket one, cause my husband is going to roll his eyes when he sees me ordering a microscope.

[@MrLundScience]

Amanda, definitely don't order a huge large one! A pocket one is definitely able to be used. Choose whichever you like, but make sure it can go to 40x magnification. I'm currently today editing the next Raising Monarchs video, which coincidentally is about this very topic - the use of hand held affordable pocket microscopes! It does not promote one over the other, just shows how they can be used.

[@staceygianoplos6381]

Are Hobby One craft stores in Michigan?

[@jlr3636]

I purchased a used microscope from a local state college surplus store, it was a stereo microscope with 20x and 40x magnification, paid $100 +tax. I have to say it takes raising monarchs to another level. It is amazing to watch the cat eat it’s way out of the shell then turn around and devour it’s used shell for a first meal. Even my 93y.o. Mom spends time watching them grow. I haven’t started checking for O.E. (Only raised/released 2 so far) but will start in the future. I hope the microscope is strong enough to spot O.E. Thanks for the video

[@missanna208802]

What about just using a paintbrush against the abdomen and transfering that to the tape for a beginner at this? Also, are you holding in dominant hand or the tape in your dominant hand? Of course each butterfly would have a new paintbrush just in case, but I've got a plethora of small brushes and only a few caterpillars and I think this would be easier at first for me because the last thing I would want to do is smash the butterfly. OH ALSO- I dont know if you can add a little text box to your video about eggs..but here in SE idaho...our eggs have hatched in about 8-12 hours from the time you can see the head.Yesterdsy afternoon eggs were normal looking, in late afternoon they had changed to black tops, and the following morning at 7 am, they had hatched out. Luckily I was up early enough to catch it and do the transfer to a fresh leaf in time.

[@littlemonster2146]

I'm so nervous to test my first batch when they come out. I live in south florida.. what if they're all infected

[@camielsilvas8625]

Hi Rich, love your videos-- so incredibly informative. My girlfriend and I are trying to create a monarch garden of sorts and have come into a little trouble and was wondering if you'd be able to answer a couple questions for us. We are located in San Diego and have a few milkweed plants and about a dozen monarch caterpillars. My first question is about the milkweed and these little red bugs that almost appear to be tiny aphids trapped in a silk web. Was wondering if those are milkweed pests and if they are harmful to our caterpillars? Our milkweed is unsprayed and organic. Second question involves one of our caterpillars that ended up passing away. He was j-hanging for about two days and ended up getting all shriveled up and never formed a chrysalis. He had something that looked like a 4 inch strand of silk hanging from his open stomach. It was terribly sad and we want to make sure that isn't posing a risk to our other caterpillars. Was wondering if you had any experience with this? I read about a fly that could have possibly infected his body while still in his early stages as a caterpillar. We are housing our small clan of caterpillars outside in a mesh net tent and have a few cocooned in random locations in the yard. Thanks so much again for your wonderful videos, you're such a wealth of knowledge and any advice to us would greatly be appreciated.

[@MrLundScience]

Greetings Camiel, Great job on helping out with a garden, that's awesome! To answer your questions... 1) There are many different insects in many different regions that can harm the caterpillars, or harm the milkweed plant (inadvertently harming the caterpillars), or are just neutral. I'd have to see a photo of the insects you're describing, as they don't come to mind immediately. You and I are in quite different areas, and I can tell you, I haven't seen here in Michigan what you're describing. That being said, I haven't *heard* of these guys before, and that's a good sign. Still, a photo would help. If you use Twitter, you could tweet me a photo @MrLundScience. Or, you could put a link in the comments section here to a page that shows what you think the insect to be. 2) The silk strand coming out of your deceased caterpillar is almost 100% a tachinid fly, which are also pretty prevalent out west in your area. Check this page to see/read all about them: www.cranialborborygmus.com/tachinid-flies-are-killing-my-monarch-caterpillars.htm They are here in Michigan too, just not seemingly as much. I've never had a tachinid fly situation, and I'm pretty sure it's due to my method of taking the eggs in, and once I have them, from egg to adult, there's never a chance for the tachinid fly to get to them. I keep the eggs/caterpillars in containers the whole time. (Have you watched the core series Parts 1-5? If not, check out most of them to see what I do, and if you adopt my method, tachinid fly situations will no longer trouble you.) I hope that helps! Keep up the awesome efforts, and if you have more questions, hey, I'm here all summer and then some!

[@LShaver947]

Your caterpillar was infected with a tacnhidid fly

[@cheriezutube]

Hi Rich, love your videos. I am wondering if you can test for OE on the empty chrysalis under the micro scope. I was looking and noticed, what I think were spores on my thumb. So unless I washed my hands I could be spreading spores onto plants or catapillars, what ever I touch, is that right? Thank you, Cherie 🦋

[@MrLundScience]

Now *that* is an interesting question! And admittedly, I've never even thought to do that! I would have to imagine that since there can be so many spores on an infested adult, and since they are so easily transferable, the answer would be yes, but I now want to test that out. I didn't have any last year that were infested, as OE is not very prevalent in my area. Still, when I encounter my next infested Monarch, I'll be sure to see if I can then trace back which chrysalis it came from by testing any ones that were emerged from on that day. (In the heat of my season, I might have up to 10 emerging on the same day.) Great idea, and worthy of exploration! As for cross contamination, I test each Monarch, always handling only one at a time, and once I touch one, I touch nothing else but my testing equipment until I can confirm it is clear of infestation. If ever they are, I fully sanitize myself and my testing materials. Thanks Cherie!

[@jessicadavis16]

My kids have some of those little hand held microscopes from amazon, I wonder if that would work?!

[@GlendasEffinChannel]

Great info, thank you so much!

[@MrLundScience]

Hey, thank YOU for checking it out and using the knowledge. And thank you also for your continued efforts. I'm just making videos. People using them is what's important!

[@GlendasEffinChannel]

MrLundScience Well please keep it up! Your tips are always helpful :) Should be monarch season here in FL pretty soon and I'm definitely gonna try and get ahold of a microscope so I can start testing. I'm probably gonna have a lot of positives :(

[@MrLundScience]

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you and the other Floridians! If there's topics you feel need coverage in future videos, I'd like to help where the help is needed. Requests welcomed.

[@GlendasEffinChannel]

MrLundScience I'm sure a question will come up! They always do lol. I'll be sure to leave a request. Thank you

[@horohorosrin]

Ok, forgive me if I'm wrong, but at 8:16 is that a single spore? The pointer winds up actually pointing right on it.

[@MrLundScience]

No need for forgiveness. Nothing wrong with asking an honest question. That, however, is a speck of dirt. The spores have a very football like shape. I understand thinking what you did at first. If you see many spores, be they from this video or from other photos, you'll see how consistent and distinct the shape is. So, nope... Clean butterfly.

[@horohorosrin]

Awesome, glad to hear it! :)

[@vincentstaley3734]

Can you use a cuetip to gather a sample from the thorax?

[@johnNYdoe36]

ur da best! awesome demo. i joined the cause but im dealing with OE big time. gonna need a microscope. which one do u recommend?

[@johnNYdoe36]

south miami

[@alexstrouse6333]

Hey Mr. Lund, can I use clear packing tape, or is that too sticky? I will be testing for OE this year, I’m confident that my monarchs will be clean, but it’s always good to keep a record!

[@ellash6415]

@MrLundScience Should I be testing every butterfly before releasing them?

[@kathrynhays7794]

A few months ago I got a foldscope. You should check it out! It’s a real microscope that’s inexpensive and portable.

[@MrLundScience]

Anything like this? kzbin.info/www/bejne/aWOsoqyun7SInK8

[@jillz8105]

Question on the microscope...you mention using 10x as 4x isn't strong enough....is that correct? It's hard to even find microscopes with power that low, on a quick skim of amazon...or if I get one that starts at 40x, is that good to see spores?

[@MrLundScience]

I misspoke in a way in this video. The optical part of the instrument that is not adjustable was 10x magnification, and that needs to be multiplied to the adjustable optics. So where I said "10x", that was really 100x, and where I said "4x", that was really 40x. My apologies for the slip. 40x is strong enough to be able to see them, and 100x is strong enough to make out their distinct shape. Handhelds do exist that go to 40x, and some likely go beyond that, though are more expensive. I made an update to this idea here, and with a much more affordable example: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aWOsoqyun7SInK8

[@danikadwyer4831]

Is there any way to reach you with a question? We have even caring for a butterfly that eclosed with crumpled wings. It hardly moves and just sits still in the mesh cage. It feeds twice a day on honey water and stays still the rest of the time. Wanting to know if we should continue to care for it for the rest of its life which we are happy to do, but with it being so still and lethargic I wouldn't want to prolong any suffering if it is in pain. I also don't think I have it in me to euthinise it. We have become attached to little Rubble.

[@MrLundScience]

Leaving comments is the primary way to reach me with questions. Sorry to hear about Rubble. In situations where the adult can not fly, it's a tough place to be as there aren't many good options. There are options, just not any that are something to get excited about. To handle the topic, I made this video to discuss some of those options and the logic behind them: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpfYhZ93iMaflbc I have heard of others doing wing transplants (using spare Monarch wings that they have) but I have never done such a thing, and thus, do not comment on it one way or the other. I just know such a procedure exists. Hope this helps!

[@danikadwyer4831]

Thanks very much I appreciate your help and will watch the link you provided. Rubble doesn't have OE I checked under a microscope yesterday following the instructions on one of your videos. So think wings are crumpled from the fall after eclosing or the cold weather. Thanks again.

[@bethmorano1452]

Sad day today. Tested my female Monarch today after she eclosed. She tested positive for OE. I watched your video twice, retested her and confirmed it. I was so sad, she was beautiful! I euthanized her in the freezer. My son wants to know if you can keep them in an isolated cage to live out their lives.

[@MrLundScience]

I'm a literal guy when it comes to these comments, so in what your son asked, the first answer that jumps in my brain is, "If it's legal, sure." Then a different voice in my head says, "Well, even if it weren't legal, you still *can*." I think, though, that your son is asking if it's a good idea or not. I know that I wouldn't, mostly because of the risk of accidentally spreading even just one spore into the other enclosures that house the caterpillars being cared for. If you can take measures to ensure that this doesn't happen, then you certainly could. But, it's important to take more measures than you think are necessary. I hope that helps!

[@bethmorano1452]

MrLundScience It does help to bounce ideas off of you. I would not do it for this reason. Hard decision to make.

[@LShaver947]

I like helping more than one species I am raising 1 white marked tussock one spicebush swallowtail one tiger swallowtail and lots of monarchs

[@chelsealeonard6264]

Thank you

[@MrLundScience]

Welcome! Thanks for having an interest in the Monarchs!

[@chelsealeonard6264]

@@MrLundScience l have been planting milkweed for years. Right now l am finding caterpillars everywhere. Im in south western Pennsylvania. I brought some in tonight. I am going to try and raise them. I am affraid because l have not ever tried this before. I have been watching your videos and this knowledge helps. I wiil let you know how it turns out. Thank you for your incredible dedication.

[@mclasky431]

Do you plan to do a video on the NPV Virus?

[@MrLundScience]

It's something I've given definite consideration to. However, if I'm to make a video, I'm hoping for it to be useful to others. Information about what it is has some use, yes, but I'd prefer to be able to do one that speaks on prevention, if possible. It could be something that happens this summer, but I learned from last summer not to assume I'll have enough Monarchs to explore the issue at a quality level. I'm definitely planning to have one on OE prevention for now, and that will take a good amount of Monarchs going through my system to show how to treat eggs and prevent OE. I don't know if I'll have enough Monarchs to do the same for researching NPV. We'll have to see. Bear with me!

[@19Photographer76]

You might remember that I'm helping with the western monarch. What I found surprising is that you only found 1 so I have to ask, were the eggs or cats all collected in the same location or time? Knowing, not only how many eggs those girls lay but also the positing they form when placing their eggs, it's difficult to imagine the get on the eggs. I wonder if the monarch picks up the OE more while consuming milkweed? I would think that the overwintering group is like sharing a dirty needle.

[@MrLundScience]

It was such a sparse year, no, those eggs were not collected in the same spot. I mean, I think there were some times where there was two at once that I found, but even that was rare. Multiple different locations and on different days, but all were in mid-Michigan. As for the spores getting on the eggs, they are so small, and so "everywhere", I think that plenty could transfer on or very nearby the laid egg. Perhaps it's worth the trouble to inspect the eggs right after they are collected (with a microscope) to see if spores are present. I'll try this out this summer and see what can be found.

[@kellystephens7688]

very informative, thanks!

[@dianae.1184]

First time in my life I've ever had a caterpillar on a milkweed plant,now their little lives are in my hands,Will a affordable microscope for beginners work well to see OE?

[@jcisking9622]

Thanks so much!

[@gisellegascacampos286]

Hola Richard! Any Remedies? Cures? Medicinal alternative out there to help an infected monarch with OE??? Thanks kindly 🙏🏼

[@MrLundScience]

Once infected, I'm sorry, but no. However, there are ways to prevent it, which is what the soon-to-be-out video is all about.

[@LpzMonica]

What is the best low budget microscope to buy?

[@valeriebromberg5903]

I live in Hawaii and many of my butterflies appear to have OE which makes sense because I don't think they migrate from here and there is a butterfly farm that sells Monarchs for weddings. 😱 I sent samples away for testing and now plan to get a microscope so thank you for your video on what to look for on a sample. Can I check the eggs I harvest for OE and disinfect the outside of the eggs with bleach solution? It's painful to watch them go all the way from eggs to pupa and then see them not be able to emerge. And worse, I don't want to add to the cycle. Mahalo.

[@MrLundScience]

Greetings Valerie, Yes, it makes sense that OE would be high in Hawaii. Something that prevents OE from having a foot hold in other areas is that in colder regions, the milkweed stalks die (though the root system does not) and come up fresh, and thus, not tainted, each spring/summer. If the plants are growing year round as in warmer climes, there isn't this winter purge of the parasite. Thus, the parasite can build up on the plants, and thus, in the population. But you are correct, there are methods for cleansing the eggs with a bleach solution. That's my number one video project for the Monarchs this summer, but I need a good number of eggs to test it out on (and video), and I haven't found a good number all at once yet. I've been finding just one here and two there, days apart. I'm hoping to find a female and "milk" her for eggs (as I did in the "Encouraging Egg Laying" video) and use a sample of what eggs she can drop for me for that research/video. With hope, it'll be up this year, but it may come out after the main part of our Eastern North American season is closing. In the mean time, see what you can find out and test out with it. If the majority have OE, certainly the risk of bleach isn't as imposing, since there's a high likelihood they'll have OE without the bleach treatment. I wish you loads of luck. Laki maika'i! (

[@iangoddard5915]

If most monarchs in a region have OE, and if OE-positive monarchs should be killed, then most monarchs should be killed in that region. Really?! Doesn't sound right to me, and I've heard some areas have an almost 100% rate.

[@MrLundScience]

Ian, that is not at all what is being said. Please do not take it out of context in this way, as it drastically changes what is being said. In no way, shape, or form has it been advocated that people take Monarchs out of the wild and screen them for OE, euthanizing the ones that have it. As you point out, that would decimate various populations. Further, it'd be foolhardy. There is no goal to eradicate OE, as it's part of the natural world as well, and has been with the Monarchs for millions of years. However, if we are raising Monarchs in order to help increase their numbers, counterproductive to our goal would be to artificially increase the amount of OE in nature. So, if we produce Monarchs that, because of us giving them leaves that have OE spores on them, they acquire OE, this could happen to an entire batch of Monarchs that otherwise potentially could have been OE free. This could be counterproductive to our efforts. I put together this video with the help of various experts in the field to allow them to lend their voice to this issue. "Should We Euthanize" kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4iolqqqpMtmrZo

[@iangoddard5915]

Thanks Rich! In my comment I run a thought experiment. If we should euthanize every OE monarch we raise, we're not just aiming to not increase the prevalence, we're aiming to decrease the natural prevalence. If that's a goal, then consistent with that would be to test wild ones and euthanize those with OE too. Obviously that's not right. Therefore, imo, it's not obviously right to euthanized every OE monarch raised.

[@MrBoDiggety]

Here's a good question Mr. Lund. 1. By removing spores from the abdomen(testing) do you decontaminate the Monarch even just a little bit. 2. Do you think/feel/believe the thorax is where the majority of spores live? Thoughts?

[@rachelowen7355]

Is it possible that monarchs are in the process of evolving to live with this parasite? I mean they had it and they made it all the way through to butterfly. Is it possible that you're euthanizing the ones that are adapting to live with the parasite? I have about 40 chrysalis right now and 15 have turned black and more each day- this is the 4th generation that will migrate. I'm kind of freaking out. I know I've had OE this year because one emerged deformed. I've also found tachnid fly maggots yesterday. I'm devastated, and the thought of killing the ones that do make it is heartbreaking. But it doesn't seem like we can stop this OE. Maybe the best thing is to let the strongest survive?

[@dawnwalkley119]

Also, can the bacteria spread through the shedded molts or any other way besides the adult butterfly? If this isn't the place to ask questions, please let me know where.

[@MrLundScience]

So, I know I misspoke in a few of the videos (and I don't know why, as I already firmly *knew* this) but OE isn't a bacteria, but a protozoan. Details details. Anyway, the protozoans live inside the caterpillar far deeper than the skin. They don't come out in the feces either. So an infected caterpillar can not infect another one it is with. The only way infection happens to the caterpillars is if they eat the spores, which only happens from adults delivering the spores. Prior to the Monarch becoming an adult, since the spores are formed during the chrysalis stage, there is no cause for worry that OE could cross infect from one caterpillar to the next. Also, this is indeed the perfect place to ask questions. Just understand, it can take me sometimes a few days to get to them. Good luck!

[@dawnwalkley119]

MrLundScience thank you so much. I began this journey last week after finding a dead caterpillar something had killed. I panicked and brought in all I could find. I now have 1 chrysalis, 1 J hanger, 4 -5th instars, 3-4th, 3-3rd, 10-2nd, 3-1st, and 1 egg that hasn't hatched yet. (As far as I can tell-haven't watched that video yet). That's all I could find, which doesn't seem like many. I'm now obsessed with this and will be doing this every summer. Ordered a microscope. Will be planting a large milkweed/cone flower garden in my backyard in the spring. Thank you SO MUCH for your videos and your caring heart! I've learned a TON from you. 😁

[@MrLundScience]

Very happy to help! Cool to see how much you've taken this to heart! Good luck with those under your care, and thank you for helping them. It is so rewarding to have them come out and be able to send them off.

[@lmnopopsicle]

would there be any OE residue on the chrysalis?

[@8OchodeOcho8]

Thank you! Very informative! I just wish you had covered prevention measures. I've seen other videos blaming Asciepias curassavica milkweed as the culprit. This is my first year attempting to start and raise Monarchs. Trying to grow some milkweed from seed now. Arizona rainman (prevention measures other than destroying the infected monarchs.)

[@MrLundScience]

Yes, I agree, and such a video is planned. I didn't start testing for OE until last year, and at that time, I had learned how to test for it, but not much on how to prevent it. I had learned some things, sure, but I hadn't done them myself, and I refuse to make an instructional video on something I myself haven't field tested. Seems pretentious to instruct someone how to do something you haven't done yourself, right? By the time I had learned some tips on prevention, all of my eggs had already hatched and were either in chrysalides, or were cats well on their way to the chrysalis stage. So, a prevention video just wasn't in the cards last summer. This summer, it's the first on my list of what I want to research and produce as far as the Raising Monarchs vids go. It's equally important as this testing one, and just as you point out, it'd be better to prevent it in the first place than to have to euthanize those that acquire it.

[@mister8800]

The best thing to do is cut your curassavica milkweed (If you don't get talked into getting rid of it) all the way back in November, spray with 5% bleach solution and then hit it with Captain Jack's Dead Bug (organic) or something similar just a couple days later, that'll cut really stop the heavily infestations that this poor milkweed will usually endure constantly. Then hit it again 3 weeks later when the new growth starts to keep the leaf minors from doing damage. This plant would get a nice break from aphids, lady bugs, leaf miners, hoverfly larva, flies, lacewing larva and all their droppings that they leave behind on the plant, creating a lot more bacteria than needed. By the time Spring rolls around, its a healthy plant ready to be chomped on.

[@staceygianoplos6381]

The last butterfly you tested had some of those small specs outside of the abdomen scales. How can I distinguish between the odd spec and spores?

[@MrLundScience]

Hello Stacey. Odd specs would not necessarily be of a usual size and shape, but a random one. OE spores, however, are always more or less football shaped. They can vary in size, but generally will be about the same size as each other, and it'd be a pretty rare case for there to be only one. There'd likely be a large number of them. Any time a test for OE has turned out positive, I've had a few hundred to several thousand to be able to compare them to each other. It will be an obvious situation. If there's so few that you can't tell if it's a spec or a spore, that'd be a case that even I would be of the opinion to release it, and I'm almost always on the side of not releasing. Hope that helps!

[@staceygianoplos6381]

@@MrLundScience Thanks for your input. I truly appreciate it. And I'm finding your videos to be an invaluable resource. The only thing I find myself scratching my head about is your comment that you have had trouble transplanting milkweed. Judging by your videos, you seem to be doing great! And I say that as an avid gardener with quite the knowledge base. Just make sure when you cold stratify seed you always do so in a most medium like peat moss or sand. Also, two other beautiful (and native to here in Michigan) varieties of Asclepias are incarnata and the rugged tuberosa. Worth checking out. And they don't grow by runners...

[@MrLundScience]

I appreciate that feedback. Still, no, I'm pretty sure I'm bad at transplanting milkweed. But I'm speaking of adult plants. The times I've tried it, they've died. Now, transplanting freshly grown sprouts, that's not been a problem. I think with the adults, since they have a shallow, yet far spreading root system, I've likely never gotten enough of the root for them to survive. All plants you see in my yard in the videos were started from germinated seeds. As for cold stratification, to be honest...despite many will say it can't be true...I've seen no significant advantage to cold stratifying any of the seeds I've germinated. I've grown them from seeds that were out all winter, and from seeds I collected in the fall and kept at room temperature all winter, and I have seen no difference in their success rate. And I know that there are many out there who would disbelieve it (and I've had some gardeners even become angry with me because of it, and call me a liar...) but it's the truth from at least my experience. So, I don't make any effort to stratify them. I'm pleased you're finding the videos helpful! That's what the hope was in putting them out there!

[@staceygianoplos6381]

@@MrLundScience Very interesting! Going to have to experiment with starting some seed that hasn't been cold stratified. Sometimes we overthink and worry about things that require no worry whatsoever. The way that many naturalist gardeners believe you must only plant natives sourced from a local genotype. Another belief that I struggle to embrace. Or if we plant natives from Ohio for example, they will not benefit pollinators and wildlife the way they need to here in Michigan. As though natives slam on their growing brakes at the state border. Another silly belief in my estimation.. Keep up the good work. P.S. love the herp series too!

[@MrLundScience]

More Herp Quest is on the way! FOUR episodes have been shot within the last two weeks!

[@Daliena]

Perhaps covering how to desinfect the rearing area after finding OE infection would be helpful. Also, disinfecting in a manner that is not harmful to butterflies. Because if you rear them together - how would you stop the spread of the parazite - entire batch may become contaminated. Great job on videos!

[@MrLundScience]

Most definitely, Daliena! A sanitation vid is already on the docket for this season. Need some stars of the show first, though. But yep, that one's coming out this year. Thanks so much for checking these out and showing the interest. (I just hope that as I put out the occasional teacher Hip Hop song, RM viewers enjoy those too!)

[@lomimanhattan6924]

What is it that comes out from the butterfly when you put the sticky tape on the stomach ? Thank you !

[@MrLundScience]

An amount of the scales do come off with the adhesive from the abdomen, but no more that it may naturally lose from normal outs and abouts. It does not cause harm to the Monarch. And, hopefully not, OE spores of the parasite.

[@lomimanhattan6924]

MrLundScience thank you!! Love your Chanel !

[@Les0613]

Maybe a stupid question but do you wash your hands between handling each Monarch just in case one might be carrying spores.

[@MrLundScience]

I firmly do not believe that there is such a thing as a stupid question. There's such a thing as a misleading or dishonest question, such as, "What time of the day did you decide to commit the crime?" when the person involved did not commit any crime. There are nonsense questions... "On a scale of one to ten, which Tuesday is the most brumish?" But, I don't believe in stupid questions. Any question that is an honest one is just someone wanting to know more. It's a brain expressing a desire for knowledge. I think that's a beautiful thing. As far as the answer, I only handle one Monarch at a time. If, in testing, I find that it is free of spores, I don't feel I have a reason to wash my hands. If it were to test positive for spores, I would definitely wash my hands. First, though, since that Monarch is contaminated, I'd assume my hands are as well, and before washing them, I might as well handle that butterfly again and euthanize it. (Envelope/freezer method.) Then, I would wash my hands by soaking them in a 5% bleach solution for about 60 seconds, followed by a thorough soap and water washing. (I'd likely finish up doing whatever testing I needed to do as well, and then put some lotion on my hands, as the bleach solution can definitely dry out skin.) I hope that helps! Never fear asking a question. Questions are awesome things. They are the first step to learning something.

[@Les0613]

MrLundScience thank you for your response.

[@MrLundScience]

No problem.

[@Imawoozle]

I raised five monarchs this year to start off. I don't have a good microscope for testing OE. What kind of microscope are you using in this video? Thanks!!

[@catsmith233]

What microscope do you recommend?

[@joakos1122]

thanks for the great content

[@timatrasorroad]

Is it possible to recognize OE in a 4th or 5th instar caterpillar? Symptoms like darker color or the black segments overly large and less defined borders, like a streaked watercolor?? Thank you for the information. Off to find a microscope for this season!

[@MrLundScience]

To my knowledge, there is not a way to know if a cat has OE, other than the death of a heavily infested caterpillar. (And even then, it would take a dissection, followed by analyzing remains with a microscope, to confirm it.) There have been times when large cats have darker lines and bolder black lines, but these seem to happen later in the season. Some speculate, it's an adaptation to be darker during times when sunlight is reduced. I hope you find a deal on the microscope! Check any local universities nearby you if you have any. MSU, near my location, has discount science equipment from time to time at their surplus store. Good luck!

[@animuldoc]

Hi and thanks for all of your helpful information. I just planted some milkweed this year just to have some pollinators and didn’t even think about enclosing caterpillars or starting with eggs until I saw caterpillar get yanked off a leaf by a yellow jacket. I’m here in Southern California. So then I got some enclosures. initially i enclose anybody I found. But half of those had a Tachnid fly infestation and died before they went to chrysalis, but other than those everybody has come out really healthy I’ve only had four eclose. But I’m wondering about grabbing a butterfly just sounds really stressful for me . I don’t wanna hurt them. I’m afraid I might, But could spores be detected on the chrysalis? What I mean is the encasement that they leave behind and crawl out of

[@animuldoc]

What I meant was the casing that they leave behind and crawl out of