Pollinator Habitat Hunters 3

Four-panel educational comic titled “The Pollinator Bunch Go House Hunting – 3” by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The scene is set outdoors with blooming field of flowers, milkweed plants and a sunset sky throughout the landscape. A ruby-throated hummingbird helps a monarch caterpillar find its home on a common milkweed plant. The hummingbird explains that common milkweed contains chemicals called cardenolides that monarch caterpillars store in their bodies for protection from predators. A monarch caterpillar is shown feeding on milkweed leaves and flowers. A diagram shows the monarch life cycle. Arrows connect an egg on a leaf, a caterpillar, a green chrysalis and an adult monarch butterfly. The caterpillar explains that the milkweed provides everything needed to grow from egg to butterfly. The caterpillar says the milkweed flowers will provide nectar for the adult butterfly and support migration. The comic notes that people are planting native milkweed in cities, farms, roadsides, backyards and other locations. A thought bubble shows monarch butterflies migrating to Mexico. Two moths appear and explain that they need different habitat conditions, including suitable plants and lighting. The hummingbird promises to find a habitat they will like. A caption reads, “Next time on Habitat Hunters – Moths in the Moonlight.”