Hi, fellow crawlers and flutterers! I’m Marty, a Monarch caterpillar, living my best larval life on this milkweed plant. Today, I want to share some wisdom that’s been passed down from generation to generation in my family: “Never Frass Uphill.” For those of you not in the know, frass is our polite way of saying caterpillar poop. Trust me, this advice is golden—or should I say, greenish-brown?
The Milkweed Mansion
Life is pretty simple when you’re a Monarch caterpillar. Eat, crawl, poop, repeat. My days are spent munching on delicious milkweed leaves. They’re not just tasty; they’re also our ticket to a safer future. Eating milkweed makes us less appetizing to predators. I guess you could say we’re naturally uninviting!
The Uphill Battle
Now, let’s talk topography. Our milkweed plant isn’t flat; it has all sorts of nooks, crannies, and inclines. And when you’re munching away, it’s easy to forget which way is up—or downhill. That’s where the age-old wisdom of “Never Frass Uphill” comes in handy.
Milkweed Seeds
Seeds for growing plants in the Milkweed genus (Asclepias); required for all Milkweed butterflies, like the Monarch and Queen.