Monarch Caterpillar

Natural Habitat

Gardens, fields, roadsides, and any open areas where milkweed plants grow.

Diet & Feeding

Monarch caterpillars feed exclusively on milkweed plants (Asclepias species).

Behavior Patterns

Monarch caterpillars spend most of their time eating milkweed leaves. They grow rapidly, shedding their skin (molting) several times as they pass through five instars (developmental stages) before pupating. They are solitary feeders.

Risks & Benefits

Benefits: Monarch caterpillars are the larval stage of Monarch butterflies, which are important pollinators and iconic insects. Their presence indicates a healthy milkweed population, vital for the species' survival. Risks: None to humans. However, the Monarch butterfly population is facing significant threats due to habitat loss (especially milkweed), pesticide use, and climate change.

Identified on: 8/19/2025