3 Monarch Butterflies
Woolly bear caterpillars are not the only insects that can improve their own health. With such short lifespans, these species need to increase their odds of survival in any way possible. Another example of a self-medicating insect is the beautiful monarch butterfly.
Parasites are a common problem for numerous species, even butterflies. They eat milkweed because it contains chemicals that combat the parasite Ophryocystis elektroscirrha. In doing so, they increase their own survival odds as well as that of their young.
