Will shed its old skin 4 times in its
caterpillar stage.
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Madison County Master Gardener Association, Inc. Helping others grow...in Madison County, Indiana
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BUTTERFLY GARDENING (con't) ~ Stages of the Monarch Butterfly ~
Baby Monarch caterpillars (larva)
Feeding on annual milkweed.
Milkweed is their only source of food.
After fluid is pumped into
their wings, they dry smooth and flat
Shedding skin as it grows (molting)
Caterpillar in a "J" formation
just before it sheds the last time. Its newly exposed
skin will dry and harden to form the chrysalis
Green chrysalis turns black,
then becomes transparent just before butterfly emerges
When first emerging the wings are velvety soft and supple
Wow, a full house!
Chrysalis look like green jade pendants with gilt gold accents. Beautiful!
Female Monarch ~ no black spot
on wings
Male Monarch ~ has a black spot
on each wing near bottom
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