July 14, 2004
Monarch Butterfly on Swamp Milkweed
Danaus plexippus on Asclepias incarnata
Monarch Butterflies sip the nectar of milkweeds and lay their eggs
on the underside of the leaves. The caterpillars eat only milkweed
leaves, which are poisonous to most insects, and give both the larvae
and adults a flavor that is distasteful to birds.

Monarchs are known for their long seasonal migrations between North
America and Mexico. It takes several generations to complete the circuit.