Monarch larva on milkweed- This is not a pest!

These are the kind that I see eating the leaves of my plants.

Which end is its head????lol

Do you suppose birds have the same dilemma? Which end do I grab?

The left side is his head. Monarch larvae accumulate toxic chemicals from some species of milkweed, making them distasteful to birds, but they do have many other preditors, mostly insects.

What amazing animals these are - the longest migration route of any insect, I believe?

Look at the fantastic colour and body patterns!

Great close-up photo, Lori ! I always try and grow at least one of the host plants they feed on in the garden.

I thought right side is his(her?) head... Anyway I can't get close to them!

WOW!!!!!

I just noticed that this lovely larva has been added to the pests page... I hope it will be removed as it is anything but a pest. This was meant as a "nature study" pic.

Sorry about this Lori, actually it was added about a year before I joined GOY but I will be happy to remove it from the pest page.

Thanks Drc726! I appreciate that. I had no clue that it was on the page until a new goY friend commented on the photo. was a wee shock...thanks for helping me correct this.