back to Time-lapse content

Monarch (Danaus spp.) caterpillar herbivory

Monarch caterpillars may be small but they are impressive herbivores. They typically feed on milkweed (Asclepias spp.) which attempt to deter herbivores with their hairy leaves. Insects unfortunate to bite into a the plant's tissue encounter sticky latex (hence the name milkweed) that contains poisonous cardiac glycosides. The caterpillars are resistant to these toxins, and they have some interesting behavioral tricks to limit the effects of the latex. Prior to consuming the leaf, the caterpillar first clips the petiole of the leaf preventing the latex from freely flowing while it eats the leaf.  There is one more twist to the story.  The cardiac glycosides that they consume are stored in their tissue which gives them a sour taste and deters predators. Amazing!

alternate video format (H.264)

This sequence was shot at approximately one frame every 30 second intervals.