The bright coloration of the milkweed leaf beetle is a classic example of aposematism. These insects have evolved the ability to thrive on these plants despite the presence of noxious poisons the plants have evolved to protect themselves from most herbivores. These toxins help protect these insects from being eaten by visually gifted predators like birds that regularly prey on caterpillars, butterflies, and beetles. The conspicuous orange and black colors serve as a reminder of a potentially nasty gastronomic misadventure to experienced birds and other predators that may have attempted to make a meal of them.