Monarch And Milkweed Research Paper

Monarch and Milkweed: The Butterfly and Plant Dynamic

The Monarch (http://www.monarch-butterfly.com/butterfly) is the king of its jungle! Most people believe this since its name is “monarch.” Some say it’s the most beautiful of all the butterflies. These butterflies are mostly active in February and March, coming out of hibernation and trying to find a mate. In March and April, Monarch eggs are laid on milkweed plants. The Monarch and milkweed plants have a very dependent relationship.

Drop in Milkweed Growth Noted

Milkweed plants are considered vital for the life of many insects as food and shelter. However, a decline was noticed in their growth and a study from 1999 to 2009 done in Iowa, noted a 90% decrease in common milkweed. A separate

The Monarch starts out as the egg, then the larvae, or most commonly known as the caterpillar. From there it becomes a chrysalis or cocoon, and finally the adult butterfly. The one we all know and love and spent hours trying to catch.

Once the eggs are laid upon the milkweed plant, four days must go by before they hatch. The Monarch and milkweed spend all their time together. Once the caterpillar is out of its egg, it spends most of its time feeding off the milkweed. After two weeks of surviving off the milkweed, the caterpillar is fully-grown.

Born in May and June, the second generation of monarch thrives, eating the milkweed and using it as home. In July and August, the third generation, the cocoon phase takes place. Finally, in September and October, the fourth generation is born when the butterfly emerges. Instead of dying within two to six weeks, the butterfly migrates to warmer climates. They’ll travel thousands of miles to places like Mexico and California. After its migration, the butterfly will live up to six or eight months.

Milkweed Essential to

These toxins are called cardiac glycosides and usually provide benefits to the butterfly. What would normally hurt other species, the Monarch butterfly gains these compounds in their wings and exoskeletons making a defense mechanism. The Monarch feeds off the toxins and ingests it into its system and has this toxic that will be harmful to predators. Most predators will avoid the monarchs because of the toxins because of taste bad or even make the predators vomit. The Monarch and milkweed together can form a toxic entity that makes them