Citizen scientists enlisted to help monarch butterflies

Victoria University entomologist Phil Lester is investigating the prevalence of a disease affecting monarch butterflies - and he's enlisting the help of citizen scientists.The disease, caused by a protozoan parasite Ophryocystis elektroscirrha or OE, is causing deformed wings in Monarchs. To help find out how widespread the disease is around New Zealand, he's asking people to send him samples of spores - collected by pressing a bit of sellotape against the butterfly's abdomen.