How Can Monarchs Feed in Pecan Trees? Solve the Mystery! "Monarchs are interested in drinking fluids containing sugar during their migration," says Dr. Bill Calvert. "There are lots of aphids and lots of pecans in Texas. Monarchs have been known to 'feed' ('take-in sugar' would be a better way to describe it), on honeydew deposited by aphids on pecan leaves. Honeydew-coated pecan leaves, yum!" Did you think monarchs ate only nectar? Honeydew is a waste product. It is sweet because it contains sugar. Aphids excrete the sugar their bodies do not need. EVERYTHING is recycled in nature! Aphids on Leaf (Click to view.) Can You See the Honeydew? Photo: Virginia Cooperative Extension For Your Science Journal Begin with the sun and draw a picture of this food chain. What pathway does the energy travel from the sun to the monarch butterfly? Draw another picture and compare the energy pathway when a monarch drinks nectar from a flower. Good scientists always keep an open mind. Assumptions can lead to the wrong conclusion. They can cause people to overlook what is truly taking place. Describe how this is true using the example above. Have you ever caught yourself making a wrong assumption? Copyright 2005 Journey North. All Rights Reserved. Please send all questions, comments, and suggestions to our feedback form