Murray Eating
The Monarch caterpillar only eats the milkweed plant (genus Asclepias). Murray is going through a growth spirt because he is now eating like crazy. This photo is a great view of Murray eating the edge of the leaf. You can see his front legs, the mandible and his eyes (ocelli). Click on the photo for a larger view.
Murray tugging at the leaf
The white “milk” of the milkweed is poisonous but not to the Monarch. The caterpillar ingests the “milk” and passes it on to the adult butterfly. This substance protects the insects from most predators.
The second photo is also Murray (I bet you could tell by now). He seems to be tearing at the edges of the leaf while he eats. Tropical and swamp milkweed plants are the best varieties to grow if you want to attract butterflies.