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| We have a few milkweed plants in my garden. I noticed butterfly eggs and small instars (caterpillars) on them last week. However, there are also lots of ants crawling around and I can't find the caterpillars anymore. My guess is that the ants are eating the caterpillars. Does anyone know? |
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by catherinet z5 (My Page) on Fri, Jul 23, 10 at 12:17
| My guess is that birds are eating the caterpillars and your plants probably have some aphids, which secrete a sweet substance that attracts ants. |
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| Birds avoid milkweed caterpillars. There are insects that will feed on them, though. Including some ant species. Ladybugs will eat small caterpillars and eggs, for example. |
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| Actually, it depends on what milkweed it is feeding on because some milkweed are less toxic than others. Common milkweed isn't that toxic. Birds do eat the caterpillars, it is a learned behavior. First, the birds have to eat a caterpillar that is toxic enough and then they learn not to eat them. The same thing goes for adults. List of Predators: |
Here is a link that might be useful: Monarch Watch Predation
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| I saw a hummingbird follow right behind a female monarch - eating the eggs right after that monarch laid them!!! Bet that hummer can tell a female from a male, no problem. |
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- Posted by bananasinohio (My Page) on Sat, Jul 24, 10 at 19:34
| Ants most definately eat butterfly eggs and 1st instar caterpillars (See below a section of an abstract). In fact, many plants, such as Senna, have what are called "extra floral nectaries". These are areas (usually little protruberances) that secrete nectar to attract ants. The ants in turn protect the plant from herbivores. There are lots of other things that eat eggs as well, ladybugs, tree crickets, lacewing nymphs. In addition, small wasps called chaclids, can lay their eggs inside butterfly eggs. This is why we often collect eggs and bring them to a safe place to raise. By the way, I have see a lot of chrysalises eaten by ants as well. They leave a nice neat hole, a little smaller than a pencil eraser. -Elisabeth Abstract |
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- Posted by catherinet z5 (My Page) on Sat, Jul 24, 10 at 19:59
| That's very interesting Elisabeth! I find it incredibly wild what goes on out there, to stay alive. Amazing! |
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