The Life Cycle of Monarch Butterfly - Nature 95

We just observe 3 stages development (metamorphosis) of Monarch butterfly in nature, they are: eggs, larvae (caterpillar) and pupa (chrysalis).

Image 1- Butterfly eggs, attached on the leaf

Summer is a monarch butterfly mating season; the female produces up to 500 eggs in one season.

Eggs need 4 days for hatching, but no more than 20% will hatch, due to several factors, include predators, parasites, climate, and even pesticides.

Insects are main predators of Monarch butterfly eggs; other predators are spiders and birds. 

Larvae (caterpillar) stage is about 10 to 14 days in normal condition of summer temperature and available of foods.

Image 2- Larvae (caterpillar), crawling on the leaf

Caterpillar then transform to Pupa stage. Pupa needs at least 15 days to transform to be adult butterfly. Then, butterfly ready to fly and start new life cycle.

Image 3- The pupa stage of Monarch butterfly.

Have you seen these 3 stages of Monarch butterfly metamorphosis in nature?

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