Here are the stages of a caterpillar shedding its skin and forming the chrysalis. You can see the skin all balled up at the top in the second from the right at the top and it drops off. The process takes about 2-3 minutes and when finished the chrysalis looks like a jade pendant with a gold bar. If you have the opportunity to see this, you can tell when the process will start. Notice in the first stage the caterpillar's antenna starts to shrivel from shrinkage. The green will appear shortly after. This sequence took place inside of 3 gallon size fish tank that was covered with a cloth for air to get in and to keep the caterpillars contained. There were a number of caterpillars in the tank and milkweed leaves for them to feed on. Some caterpillars attached themselves to the cloth while others attached themselves to the sides of the tank. Maybe I should say that this is made up of 8 separate shots of the same caterpillar each processed in PhotoShop to show the progression.
This is great. I have many monarchs in my yard (plus milkweed). They are so clever at hiding their chrysalis that I often find them empty. I even waited for one to hatch, only to be a smudge too late.
Great sequence Skip...it is amazing to watch and I am always awed at how this happens and how that striped caterpillar turns into an orange and black butterfly!!
Haven't even seen a monarch yet this year!
This is wonderful Skip! Karen Hofmann @chevymom has just reopeded her account; she knew *everything* about Monarchs and shared so much with us several years ago. I knew she'd enjoy seeing this as well!
@Weezilou Thanks for tagging me, Louise! Wonderful photo. I never tire of the entire process from egg to butterfly! I'm up to 209 for the season so far.
August 21st, 2015
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Haven't even seen a monarch yet this year!