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How do monarch butterflies defend against predators?

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Butterflies are the exhibitionists of the insect world. For many invertebrates, camouflage is the best defence against predators, so how do brightly coloured butterflies protect themselves? The monarch has 2 defence mechanisms. read more

When the caterpillar larvae are small, monarchs are vulnerable to bug predators, and spiders can prey upon adult monarch butterflies as well. As adults, the Monarch's distinctive coloring stands out and warns predators that they are poisonous. read more

Poisonous butterflies, such as monarch butterflies, consume toxic plants. In the case of the monarch, the toxic plant of choice is milk weed. The butterflies are immune to the poison, but they sequester it in their bodies rather than excrete it, so that if a predator eats them, they become sick and develop an aversion to any other butterfly that resembles the one that made them ill. read more

Camouflage: Most butterflies and moth protect themselves from predators by using camouflage. Some butterflies and moths blend into their environment so well that is it almost impossible to spot them when they are resting on a branch. read more

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