I came across this odd arrangement of wildlife during a walk through the woods. I found this Monarch Caterpillar crawling across the face of a flat stone. There was a leaf nearby with a number of insect eggs attached to it. These may be Monarch Butterfly eggs, but I am not certain.

I took a few pictures and then continued on my way. My return trip took me by this point again, and I stopped for another look. To my surprise the Monarch Caterpillar was no longer on the stone. In its place was a Western Ribbon Snake. It seems likely that the snake managed to make a quick snack of the caterpillar after I passed by the first time. I was able to get one photograph of the snake just before it slithered out of view.

Monarch Butterfly caterpillar.
Monarch Butterfly caterpillar.
The caterpillar and the leaf with the eggs.
Monarch Butterfly eggs?
Monarch Butterfly caterpillar.
The Western Ribbon Snake makes its escape.

Observation Details

CountyDenton
CityThe Colony
DateMay 8, 2011
Time of DayMorning
TemperatureWarm (70-89°F/21-32°C)
WeatherClear
HabitatAgricultural-Pasture
Type of BehaviorOther
GenderUncertain
MaturityLarva
ObserverChris Jackson

2 Replies to “Monarch Butterfly – A Quick Snack”

  1. I don’t know if you got an answer to your question, but those are not monarch butterfly eggs. Monarchs lay their eggs only on milkweed and usually only one per leaf.

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