The protection possessed by a monarch butterfly is due to
A)the fact that it has a stinging proboscis.
B)a natural bad taste possessed by all butterflies.
C)a toxic chemistry acquired from ingesting milkweed cardenolids when it was a caterpillar.
D)mimicry of another butterfly that has a bad taste.
E)orange pigments that are always toxic,which is why orange animals are always protected.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The protection possessed by a monarch butterfly is due to the fact that it acquires toxic chemistry from ingesting milkweed cardenolids while it is still a caterpillar. This makes the butterfly taste bad to predators, thus protecting it from being eaten.

The Protection Possessed by a Monarch Butterfly Is Due to