Posted on Aug 1, 2019
Florida Monarch Research and Educational Project
As part of the research project butterflies are tested (for OE spores) and tagged. By tagging the butterfly we hope to learn their flight pattern, how long they are living with/without the OE (Ophryocystis elektroscirrha) spore and the possible relationship to the particular specie of milkweed being used to raise the larvae. This particular butterfly was tagged and OE spore tested on 6/30. The spore count result was "HIGH" and the butterfly was spotted again on 7/31.