The beautiful Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is often featured in conservation efforts that focus on its dwindling numbers and shrinking habitat. It was therefore a little disconcerting to stumble upon a Monarch that had been ensnared in the web of a Black and Yellow Garden Spider (Argiope aurantia) during a visit this past weekend to Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
I have no idea how long the butterfly had been in the web, but it appeared to be totally immobilized. Spiders like this one, known also as Yellow Garden Spiders or Writing Spiders, kill their prey by injecting venom and often wrap them up in web material for later consumption.
I considered cropping this image to focus more attention on the spider and the butterfly, but ultimately decided that I liked the context provided by the elements of the spider’s web and the murky, out-of-focus background.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved
Mike Powell 
Hello! I work as a seasonal employee at the Cache River State Natural Area Wetlands Center in Cypress, Illinois. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources host a free monarch program each year to educate the public on the natural history of the butterfly. This year, I am making a migration game where folks pretend that they are a monarch getting ready to make their journey to Mexico. They are the playing piece and will use a die to move across a life-size game board made out of interconnecting foam spaces. Different squares of the board game will feature the challenges that these insects face as well as conservation strategies we can take to help more monarchs. Can I feature your photo of the monarch being eaten by the garden spider on one of my game cards? It is fantastic! (We will laminate the game cards to use for future monarch events or school groups). Hope to hear from you soon. Cheers!
You are welcome to use the photo. I very much support what you are doing to educate folks.
Thank you kindly!