Monarch Butterflies
This summer our Whitmore Eagles got to raise baby caterpillars into butterflies. The process of a caterpillar becoming a butterfly is truly amazing and our students enjoyed getting to watch up close!
Larva (Caterpillar; 10-14 days)
It is during this stage that Monarchs do all of their growing.
Monarch caterpillars will be about 2 inches long when
they are ready to form their chrysalis.When the Monarch caterpillar gets ready to pupate it will spin silk,
attach itself and hang head-down in a “J” shape.
The caterpillar will stay like this for around 24 hours.The Monarch pupa will continue to change into the beautiful jade,
with gold trim, chrysalis that the Monarch is so well known for.
It is truly a work of art.The Monarch chrysalis will stay like this for about 1-2 weeks. About 24 hours before the Monarch butterfly is ready to emerge, the chrysalis will begin to darken and become transparent so that right before the butterfly emerges you will be able to see the wings inside the chrysalis. Very cool! Monarch emerging from its chrysalis. Monarchs are beautiful in all of their life cycle stages
which makes them such a spectacular butterfly to raise indoors.This Whitmore Monarch was particularly fond of oranges. Safe travels Mr. Monarch!
