All About Monarchs

Photo Credit: Helma L

Eggs: You find the eggs usually on the underside of milkweed. They are the size of a pencil tip.

Picture credits: Vanessa H.

Picture credits: Vanessa H.

Larvae: Once the eggs are hatched in 3-5 days the first thing the larvae does is eat the eggshell. Then it's a eating machine. There are 5 distinct instar stages, most of which can be seen on the picture to the left!.

Picture credit: Sushma G.

Pupa: Just before they pupate, monarch larvae spin a silk mat from which they hang upside down by their last pair of prolegs. Just before the monarchs emerge, their black, orange, and white wing patterns are visible through the pupa covering.

Picture credit: Sushma G.

Picture credit: Vanessa H.

Adult: