Monarch Mandala- sold
48 x 80 acrylic on wood panel
A mandala with monarch butterflies and a few species with which monarch butterflies have a direct relationship. I’m greatly inspired by the mechanisms of the natural world with its many intricate connections. Monarch butterflies play an important role in the earth's ecosystems. Monarch caterpillars feed and lay their eggs on milkweed which has a toxin that when consumed by the monarch butterfly, is stored in the monarch’s tissue. This makes the monarch inedible to many potential predators. Blue Jays, Orioles, and Cardinals are resistant to the toxin and prey on monarchs. Predation is part in a healthy ecological loop. Flower species like bee balm, echinacea, wild marigold, aster, and verbena provide nectar for the monarch and other pollinators.
