Monarchs gathering alkaloids

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Jeff Cagle

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Sep 27, 2025, 3:06:19 PM9/27/25

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Found this interesting paper by (seemingly) MD native Nancy Lawson: The puzzle of monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) and their association with plants containing pyrrolizidine alkaloids.

https://resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/een.13051

BLUF: Monarchs collect PAs from dead flowers - not so much the males as in other butterfly species, but more the females. Article speculates that the alkaloids might protect against OE disease.