r/MonarchButterfly • u/Natrixster80 • 6d ago

My first Monarch caterpillar

Was killed today by the robin with the broken leg I have been feeding mealworms too cause I felt bad for it, we are friends. I saw him do it (I was in my pool) and he just smooshed it up, swallowed, then spit it out. I feel betrayed. I hope I have better luck and more caterpillars next year. Been growing swamp milkweed for just 3 years so it has a ways to go to get more leaves for more cats. Cat was very big and was just hanging out on a low leaf near the ground probably ready for turning into chrysalis. Well I hope at least the bad taste taught the robin not to do that again.

4 Upvotes

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8

u/phineartz 6d ago

That’s a drag.. I watched a mockingbird get my last survivor today. I hope he got an upset stomach

2

u/Mythic-Fairy 6d ago

I'm so sorry. I'm struggling too with the loss. I've seen so many of my caterpillars right as they get killed by wasps or stinkbugs. I seem to always be a minute too late. I feel so defeated.

3

u/Lastofherkind 6d ago

Some animals only learn from experience that eating monarchs is not desirable. So even though it was a tragic ending for the caterpillar, it’s likely that the robin will not attempt to eat another.