Monarch Caterpillar

Natural Habitat

Monarch caterpillars are found wherever milkweed grows, typically in meadows, fields, open woodlands, roadsides, and gardens across North and South America.

Diet & Feeding

Monarch caterpillars only feed on milkweed plants (Asclepias species). They consume large quantities of milkweed leaves to fuel their rapid growth.

Behavior Patterns

Monarch caterpillars spend most of their time eating and growing. They undergo five instars (growth stages) before pupating. During each instar, they shed their skin. After pupating, they emerge as monarch butterflies. Adult monarchs are migratory, traveling thousands of miles to warmer climates for the winter.

Risks & Benefits

Monarch caterpillars are harmless to humans. Their consumption of milkweed makes them unpalatable to most predators due to the toxic cardiac glycosides absorbed from the plant. As adults, monarch butterflies are important pollinators and are a flagship species for conservation efforts related to habitat loss and pesticide use. Their population has significantly declined in recent years, raising concerns about the health of ecosystems.

Identified on: 9/1/2025