Monarch Butterfly and Showy Milkweed

The Monarch Butterfly, Danaus plexippus and Showy Milkweed, Asclepias speciosa.

The Monarch Butterfly is sometimes called the “milkweed butterfly” because its larvae eat the plant. In fact, milkweed is the only thing the larvae can eat! Adult female monarchs lay their eggs on the underside of milkweed leaves.

These eggs hatch, depending on temperature, in three to twelve days. The larvae feed on the plant leaves for about two weeks and develop into caterpillars about 2 inches long.

After awhile, the caterpillars attach themselves head down to a convenient twig, they shed their outer skin and begin the transformation into a pupa (or chrysalis), a process which is completed in a matter of hours. The pupa resembles a waxy, jade vase and becomes increasingly transparent as the process progresses. The caterpillar completes the miraculous transformation into a beautiful adult butterfly in about two weeks.

The butterfly finally emerges from the now transparent chrysalis. It inflates its wings with a pool of blood it has stored in its abdomen. When this is done, the monarch expels any excess fluid and rests. The butterfly waits until its wings stiffen and dry before it flies away to start the cycle of life all over again.

Monarch butterflies follow the same migration patterns every year. During migration, huge numbers of butterflies can be seen gathered together. This particular Monarch Butterfly started its journey in Kimberly, ID at the CSR Inc. main office.

(Resource)

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