Milkweeds are toxic
This caterpillar was munching away in the afternoon, but the next morning we found it lifeless.
Monarch caterpillars are well-adjusted to feeding on milkweeds, but sometimes the sticky toxic latex may glue their mouthparts shut making them unable to feed. But perhaps there was some other cause here as we saw other dead Monarch caterpillars in this wild natural area.
Monarch larva (Danaus plexippus) Sullivan County, Pennsylvania
Milkweeds are toxic
This caterpillar was munching away in the afternoon, but the next morning we found it lifeless.
Monarch caterpillars are well-adjusted to feeding on milkweeds, but sometimes the sticky toxic latex may glue their mouthparts shut making them unable to feed. But perhaps there was some other cause here as we saw other dead Monarch caterpillars in this wild natural area.
Monarch larva (Danaus plexippus) Sullivan County, Pennsylvania