Monarch Butterfly

Monarch Butterfly

Egg Information:

Size: The size of a pin head

Shape: Round

Shell: Ribbed and pitted

Color: Creamy yellow to pale gray

Nest: Eggs attached to leaf bottom

Incubation period: 3-12 days

Number of eggs: 400 plus

Cool Fact: Monarch butterflies lay their eggs on toxic plants called milkweed. When caterpillars hatch out of the eggs, their main source of food is milkweed making them toxic to predators.

Number of eggs: 400 plus

Cool Fact: Monarch butterflies lay their eggs on toxic plants called milkweed. When caterpillars hatch out of the eggs, their main source of food is milkweed making them toxic to predators.

At hatching, a caterpillar's head is larger than the rest of its body; this comes in handy since it relies on this feature to emerge for its egg.  With its jaws, it cuts through the egg and waves its head and body to break free. This is also the most vulnerable caterpillar stage against predators. Its first meal is its egg shell. Although a caterpillar appears to have dozens of legs, it actually only has six and the rest are prolegs which help it cling to branches and leaves. Camouflage capabilities are one of the best defenses against predators since some species look like twigs or even bird droppings (and not many animals would find that too appetizing). During the course of the caterpillar stage, its primary mission is to eat. Eventually it gets too big for its skin and sheds and grows a new one.

Cool Fact: Did you know that the word caterpillar actually means "hairy cat"?

The pupa (or chrysalis) stage is the point at which the caterpillar begins the transformation from caterpillar to butterfly or moth. The caterpillar selects a secure place and attaches itself to a tem with silk.  In moths, the pupa is contained within a cocoon. Because of its incapacity to move, the insect becomes far more vulnerable to predators. The best change for its survival is its adaptation of shapes and colors to its surroundings.

Cool Fact: Did you know that the pupa stage can last the duration of an entire winter?

Within the still chrysalis tremendous changes have taken place and an entirely new creature is about to be born. Now all that remains for the metamorphosis is for the chrysalis to crack open and for the butterfly (or moth) to emerge. Their wings have veins that push blood throughout allowing the butterfly to fully open its wings. Once the wings have fully opened no blood continues to exist within the wings. Most butterflies fly by day while most moths fly by nights, and while the colors of butterflies are generally vibrant, moths are usually dull.

Cool Fact: Did you know that butterflies and moths eat with their probiscsis (straw-like mouths), but taste with their feet?