In this conversation, Host Dr. Riley Kirk and Dr. Anurag Agrawal discuss the intricate relationship between monarch butterflies and milkweed, exploring themes of coevolution, chemical ecology, and the ecological arms race. He explains how monarchs have adapted to survive the toxic compounds in milkweed, the challenges they face due to habitat destruction and pesticides, and the importance of conservation efforts. The discussion highlights the fascinating dynamics of species interactions and the need for community involvement in preserving biodiversity.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Monarchs and Milkweed

06:32 The Co-evolutionary Dance

11:32 Monarchs vs. Milkweed: The Arms Race

20:14 The Role of Cardiac Glycosides

30:01 Sequestration and Survival Strategies

31:37 The Journey of Monarch Butterflies

37:30 Understanding Monarch Population Decline

46:49 Human Impact on Monarchs and Conservation Efforts

54:01 Exploring Other Fascinating Insects

Follow Dr.Agrawal’s research:

https://ecologyandevolution.cornell.edu/anurag-agrawal

https://agrawal.eeb.cornell.edu/

Read or listen to Monarchs and Milkweed

https://www.amazon.com/Monarchs-Milkweed-Migrating-Remarkable-Coevolution/dp/0691166358

Preorder my book Reefer Wellness!

⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/Reefer-Wellness-Understanding-Cannabis-Medicine/dp/0593847156⁠⁠

✨ Want Exclusive Content?

Join the Bioactive Patreon community for as little as $1/month to ask guests your burning questions, access exclusive content, and connect with Dr. Kirk one-on-one.⁠⁠ www.Patreon.com/Cannabichem⁠⁠

🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more expert insights into cannabis science, plant biology, and more!

Keep up with Dr. Riley Kirk:

https://www.bioactivepodcast.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@cannabichem

https://instagram.com/cannabichem

⁠⁠https://www.appliedpharmacognosy.org/⁠⁠

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices