How monarch butterfly develop ability to protect itself by releasing poison?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is option (3) - By feeding on a poisonous weed.
By feeding on a poisonous weed.
Explanation:
- Monarch butterfly caterpillars feed on milkweed (a poisonous weed).
- Milkweed contains cardiac glycosides (cardenolides), which are toxic to most predators.
- The caterpillars store these toxins in their bodies, and even after metamorphosis into butterflies, they retain the poison, making them unpalatable and harmful to predators.
Option Analysis:
- Poisonous mosquito – Incorrect. No such interaction exists.
- Poisonous mulberry – Incorrect. Monarchs don't feed on mulberry.
- Poisonous weed – Correct .Refers to milkweed, which is correct.
- Basidiomycetes – Incorrect . A group of fungi; irrelevant here.