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Photo#569294
Monarch Caterpillar Parasite?

Monarch Caterpillar Parasite?
Duncannon, Perry County, Pennsylvania, USA
August 27, 2011
I think this monarch caterpillar had a parasite, and when it formed a chrysalis it looks like this. Is this a parasite and can someone please identify the parasite to species level? Thank you.

Images of this individual: tag all
Monarch Caterpillar Parasite? Monarch Caterpillar Parasite? Monarch Caterpillar Parasite?

Moved

Update
As of today nothing emerged from what remains of the chrysalis you see in these pictures, at least nothing that I saw. I still have it in a container with a lid and small air hole. I looks dried up and hardened. If anything changes I will post an update.

 
Well now!
I agree it appears to have ruptured (poor thing) since I'm fairly sure the projections are actually the viscera of the animal. Can't be absolutely sure why, though it could be (a) it experienced some sort of external trauma (being smacked accidentally against the container if the container fell or was hit, or perhaps by a tank mate?) or (b) there was some sort of structural failure during formation (honestly I'm just throwing every possible idea I can come up with out there even if it sounds ridiculous). Odds are I bet you it will remain that way.

Moved
Moved from ID Request.
I would guess this is the result of a virus/pathogen rather than an insect parasitoid. I've moved the images to our mysteries section; maybe someone will see them here and will have more to say.

 
This makes complete sense sin
This makes complete sense since nothing hatched that I saw. Thank you.

something has ruptured the
crysalis thats for sure..you can save that thing and let it hatch in a little container..then i bet the wasp and/or fly people can tell you who it is. i'm sorry for the pretty monarch :-(