Butterflies have enemies. Some predators are birds, monkeys, and spiders. Also, flies can make a hole through the pupa and lay their eggs. When the maggots hatch from the egg, they feed on the larva or caterpillar.
There are rumors that butterflies are poisonous to people. Butterflies are not poisonous to people or big animals. Some kinds of butterflies are poisonous, but the poison only for their predators.
These butterflies are the Zebra Longwing, the Monarch, the Swallowtail, and the Alexandra Birdwing. They drink the nectar of some poisonous flowers. Birds have learned to not eat these kinds of butterflies because of the bad taste they have. Birds quickly spit them out.
