Feeding on Parthenium.

Parthenium is a weed that reached India through wheat imports. It has taken over our country including our forests. Since it is a weed no native herbivorous eat it. However Parakeets in Nagarhole have started eating its seeds / flowers. This shows how animals/ birds adapt to new food sources.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGmT1FiWe5E


PS. Since I do not have still photographs , I am adding a link to my youtube video which records this behaviour.

Nice video Vikram, thanks for this.

Apana

Have observed the Common Pierrot butterfly nectaring on Parthenium often. I guess they develop immunity for it over the years.