LIFE CYCLE OF THE CATERPILLAR

DIET: Larvae feed on milkweed leaves; adult monarch butterflies feed on flower nectar.

LIFE SPAN: 3 - 4 weeks in summer generations; 7 - 8 months in over-wintered generations.

 

 

BREEDING

In early spring, monarch butterflies come out of hibernation and begin their migration north. Many stop to mate and lay their eggs on milkweed plants. The eggs hatch into caterpillars within a few days. After the caterpillars pupate and become butterflies a month later, they also join the flight northward.

During the flight, the new adult butterflies may also stop to breed. Up to five generations of monarch butterflies may migrate in one season. All monarch butterflies congregate at specific winter roosting sites in California and Mexico.

EGGS: Number varies and are white to off-white in color and about the size of a small head of a pin. You can find eggs on the bottom of the milkweed leaves, while others are accidentally placed on the top of the leaves if the monarch butterfly is disturbed while laying her eggs.

HATCHING TIME: 3 - 4 days.

Caterpillars, when first hatched, are about as thin as a thread and almost as long as the tip of a ball-point pen.

     

CATERPILLAR DEVELOPMENT: 3 - 4 weeks.

During this time they shed their skin about once every couple days or so. The shedding process is a form of growth. When they are adult caterpillars they will travel up to a high spot, away from the milkweed, to prepare an area for themselves to hang and form a chrysalis

 

 

 

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE BUTTERFLY

LENGTH: 1 in. (body).

MOUTH PARTS: Adults, sucking.

DIET: Flower nectar.

WINGS: 2 pairs of flying wings.

WINGSPAN: 3 in.

 

Male

(Has a black dot on each one of his lower wings which are scent glands)

Female