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Monarch caterpillars feeding on Swamp Milkweed, Marion County, Illinois. (Editorial Use Only)
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Monarch caterpillars feeding on Swamp Milkweed, Marion County, Illinois. (Editorial Use Only)
The Danita Delimont Collection offers adventurous journeys, unexpected horizons. Highly curated professional Nature and Travel photography
Media ID 36905865
© Richard and Susan Day / DanitaDelimont.com
Asclepias Incarnata Caterpillar Danaus Plexippus Feeding Illinois Marion County Monarch Butterfly Richard And Susan Day Swamp Milkweed
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EDITORS COMMENTS
In this photograph, Monarch caterpillars can be seen intently feeding on the vibrant, pink-hued Swamp Milkweed flowers in Marion County, Illinois. The image, captured by the skilled lens of Danita Delimont, showcases the intricate relationship between these two species. Monarch caterpillars, identified by their distinctive black, white, and yellow stripes, are exclusively herbivorous and rely on the Milkweed plant family, including Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), as their sole food source. This dependency is crucial for their survival and development into adult Monarch butterflies. Swamp Milkweed, a native wildflower, thrives in wetland environments and is easily identified by its showy, rose-colored flowers. The plant provides essential nutrients to the Monarch caterpillars, which they absorb through their voracious consumption of the milkweed leaves. This photograph not only highlights the beauty of nature but also sheds light on the importance of preserving habitats that support the growth of Milkweed plants. Monarch butterflies have faced significant population declines due to habitat loss and fragmentation, making the protection and restoration of Milkweed habitats a critical conservation priority. As the Monarch caterpillars continue to feed on the Swamp Milkweed, they will undergo several transformations, eventually emerging as magnificent, orange and black-winged Monarch butterflies. These butterflies will then embark on their remarkable migration journey, traveling thousands of miles to their overwintering sites in Mexico. This image serves as a poignant reminder of the delicate balance between various species in the natural world and the importance of preserving the habitats that sustain them.
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