Amazing Life Cycle of the Monarch Butterfly

Summary

The Monarch butterfly undergoes a remarkable transformation through its life cycle. Starting as a tiny egg, the caterpillar hatches, grows rapidly by eating milkweed, and sheds its skin multiple times. After attaching itself to a twig, it enters the pupal stage, where it undergoes a fascinating metamorphosis into a butterfly. Over the course of about a week, its colors form, and upon emerging, its wings expand to full size. As an adult, the Monarch feeds on nectar and reproduces, continuing the cycle of life.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Monarch's life cycle involves a series of changes called metamorphosis.
• 😀 The Monarch begins life inside a tiny egg, about the size of a sesame seed.
• 😀 Female Monarchs lay hundreds of eggs on the underside of leaves.
• 😀 The baby caterpillar hatches by chewing a hole in the egg and emerges just 2mm long.
• 😀 The newborn caterpillar eats the nutrient-rich shell before moving on to milkweed leaves.
• 😀 Young caterpillars shed their skin several times as they grow, each shedding marking a new life stage called an 'instar'.
• 😀 The caterpillar prepares for pupation by attaching itself to a twig, shedding its skin for the last time.
• 😀 The pupa takes several minutes to wriggle free from its caterpillar skin and has a plant-like appearance to help protect it from predators.
• 😀 The pupa remains motionless for about 1.5 weeks while undergoing a remarkable transformation.
• 😀 Time-lapse photography reveals the exquisite colors of the Monarch as it transforms into a butterfly.
• 😀 After emerging, the Monarch's wings are small, but fluids are pumped into them, expanding them to full size for flight.

Q & A

What is the life cycle of the Monarch butterfly called?

The life cycle of the Monarch butterfly is called metamorphosis, which consists of a series of changes as it develops.

Where does the female Monarch butterfly lay its eggs?

The female Monarch butterfly typically lays its eggs on the underside of leaves.

How does the baby caterpillar emerge from its egg?

The baby caterpillar chews a hole in the side of the egg shell and gradually widens it until it emerges.

How small is the newborn Monarch caterpillar?

The newborn Monarch caterpillar is just two millimeters long, small enough to fit on the head of a pin.

What does the caterpillar eat after emerging from the egg?

After emerging, the caterpillar eats the nutrient-rich shell of the egg, then starts searching for milkweed leaves to eat.

What happens when the caterpillar grows?

As the caterpillar grows, it sheds its skin several times. Each shedding marks the beginning of a new life stage called an 'instar.'

What is the Monarch caterpillar's final stage before pupation?

Before pupation, the caterpillar searches for the underside of a twig to attach itself firmly, preparing for its final molt.

How does the pupa protect itself during metamorphosis?

The pupa has a plant-like appearance, which helps it blend in and avoid predators while undergoing its final metamorphosis.

How long does the Monarch pupa remain motionless?

The Monarch pupa remains motionless for about one and a half weeks as it undergoes its transformation.

What happens to the Monarch butterfly after it emerges from the pupa?

Once the Monarch butterfly emerges, its wings are small at first, but fluids are pumped into them over the next half hour, expanding them to full size before it can fly.