If a caterpillar is found eating milkweed, what family is it most likely belonging to?
Answer
Monarch (*Danaus plexippus*)
Finding a caterpillar feeding on milkweed immediately identifies it as a Monarch, as swallowtail species specialize in different host plants, such as citrus or plants in the carrot family.
#Videos
Meet The Black Swallowtail Caterpillar - YouTube
Related Questions
What feature gives the swallowtail family its common name?What shape does the osmeterium take when deployed by a stressed swallowtail caterpillar?What sensory element is associated with the deployment of the osmeterium?How do newly hatched Black Swallowtail larvae typically appear?What colors primarily characterize the later instars of the Black Swallowtail caterpillar?What family of plants are Black Swallowtails strongly associated with for feeding?How do Monarch caterpillars differ visually from the banded patterns of Black Swallowtails?Where is the osmeterium structure typically hidden when it is not deployed?What unique identification challenge is presented by the female Eastern Tiger Swallowtail larva in some regions?If a caterpillar is found eating milkweed, what family is it most likely belonging to?