The monarch goes through many changes to become a butterfly. The eggs are laid on milkweed plants which are the only food source for the caterpillar. After hatching from its egg, it will molt (shed it’s skin) five times as it grows. Each stage of growth is called an instar. When the caterpillar is big and plump, from eating its fill of milkweed, it is ready to form the chrysalis.

The caterpillar will find a safe place to form its “J” (hang upside down) and spin a silk pad to attach its self to it. After hanging for several hours it’s ready to molt one last time and the chrysalis emerges. The chrysalis will harden, keeping the delicate inside safe from the outside world as many changes happen within. After about two weeks the monarch butterfly is ready to emerge (eclose), stretch its wings, and fly.

A freshly laid Monarch egg on a milkweed leaf

Monarch caterpillar ready to hatch

one day after hatching

tiny caterpillar growing

freshly molted

eating a milkweed flower

the bigger they get the more they eat

making a “J” last stage before chrysalis

forming the chrysalis (in timelapse)

brand new chrysalis

butterfly wings becoming visible in chrysalis

final moments before butterfly ecloses (emerges)

just eclosed

letting the wings straighten and dry

getting ready for first flight

empty chrysalis

brand new wing closeup

watch as the caterpillar hatches

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