09/09/2026
Red head cotton bush (Tropical milkweed)
The plant contains toxic chemicals called cardiac glycosides. While these toxins are dangerous to most animals, Monarch butterfly caterpillars eat the leaves exclusively.
Chemical Armor: The caterpillars absorb the toxins and store them in their bodies.
Warning System: This makes both the caterpillars and the adult butterflies highly poisonous to birds and other predators.
The bright orange and black colors of the Monarch serve as a warning sign saying, "Don't eat me, I taste terrible."๐ฉน It is not native to Australia.
Photo taken: Walsh River, Qld