What Do Monarch Caterpillars Eat?
The question What Do Monarch Caterpillars Eat is often asked by those who raise Monarch Butterflies.
Eating habits of Monarch caterpillars are quite peculiar: these
caterpillars eat milkweed plants inedible for
most other insects. Why do monarch caterpillars eat milkweeds? Milkweed plants contain bitter toxic
chemicals, alkaloids, that repel other insects, but Monarch caterpillars eats them with pleasure.
And it’s not just a matter of taste: the bitter food makes caterpillars themselves bitter
and inedible for predators - caterpillar-eating animals. That’s why Monarch caterpillars
don’t need to disguise themselves, unlike many other caterpillars. They proudly display their bright beautiful coloring
as though saying to those who see (and intend to eat) them ‘Don’t even try to taste me, you’ll regret it!’
The caterpillar stage for Monarchs lasts around 2 weeks.
Caterpillars need to eat much
to gain fat supplies that support them during the pupa stage, which is approximately as long as the caterpillar stage. The mature butterfly emerges from the pupa in several hours.
Caterpillars in the Field and Garden; A Field Guide to the Butterfly Caterpillars of North America
A complete guide on caterpillars and butterflies of North America that enables you to
find and identify young and grown up Monarch caterpillars and other caterpillar types,
distinguish between butterfly and moth caterpillars. A helpful hand-book to use during
outings when internet is not accessible.
It includes the full list of host plants for different caterpillars and butterflies.
The butterfly gardening section offers valuable practical recommendations
on building up butterfly gardens. Over 900 full-color photographs.
The Monarch Butterfly population has dramatically reduced in recent years.
Take good care of your Monarch caterpillar and feed it well
in order to give this world another wonderful butterfly!