Do butterflies carry any diseases?
Butterflies have not been found to spread any human diseases. However, there are many diseases that butterflies can give to each other that have detrimental effects on local populations. Apart from viruses and bacteria butterflies are also susceptible to fly and wasp parasitoids and other parasites. Parasitoid larvae live inside of caterpillars and pupae feeding off of internal tissues eventually killing the butterfly. The risk for butterflies is not limited to natural predators, parasites and parasitoids. The recent interest in butterflies has lead to widespread release of commercially raised butterflies at weddings, funerals and other events. The release of commercially raised butterflies has been shown to have detrimental effects on local butterfly populations. Butterflies LIVE! presenting sponsor: Butterflies LIVE!
