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Monarch - Hodges#4614 (Danaus plexippus)
Photo#39641
Copyright © 2005
Christopher C Wirth
Monarch Caterpillar -
Danaus plexippus
York County, Pennsylvania, USA
As prey of a stink bug
Contributed by
Christopher C Wirth
on 24 December, 2005 - 9:43am
Last updated 8 June, 2017 - 6:08pm
That's gotta taste bad!
Interestingly, we've read that as the other native milkweeds become scarce from habitat loss, Monarchs are relying more and more on common milkweed, Asclepias syriaca, which has a much lower concentration of toxins. Apparently Monarchs are much more edible these days than they used to be and predators are discovering that fact with predation of butterflies increasing (unfortunately just as we are also increasing the amount of bt in the environment!) Although from what we've seen stingbugs eat, we're guessing they don't have a clue what bad taste means! Great image, Chris.
…
john and jane balaban
, 24 December, 2005 - 10:15am
Sound tasty!
That is very interesting... Thanks for the information, John and Jane.
…
Christopher C Wirth
, 24 December, 2005 - 7:09pm