![]() ![]() Each year, the final generation of Monarchs, which emerges in late summer and early fall, has an additional job: to migrate to their overwintering grounds, either in central Mexico for eastern Monarchs or in California for western Monarchs. Adults in summer generations live from two to five weeks. The primary job of the adult stage is to reproduce - to mate and lay the eggs that will become the next generation.įemales begin laying eggs right after their first mating, and both sexes will mate several times during their lives. Like other butterflies, Monarch pupae are well-camouflaged, since they have no other means of defense against predators. Pupae are much less mobile than larvae or adults, but they often exhibit sudden movements if they are disturbed. Approximate length of body at each stage: 1st instar, 2-6mm 2nd instar, 6-9mm 3rd instar, 10-14mm 4th instar, 13-25mm 5th instar, 25-45mm.ĭuring the pupal stage the transformation from larva to adult is completed. Monarchs go through five instars (see photo). The new skin soon hardens and molds itself to the caterpillar, which often eats the shed skin before starting in anew on plant food! The intervals between molts are called instars. At first, the new skin is very soft, and provides little support or protection. When the caterpillar has become too large for its skin, it molts, or sheds its skin. They begin life by eating their eggshell, and then move on to the plant on which they were laid. It is during this stage that Monarchs do all of their growing. ![]() The eggs hatch about four days after they are laid.Īpproximate dimensions: 1.2mm high 0.9mm wide It is difficult to tell just how many eggs each female lays during her life, but the average is probably from 100 to 300. ![]() Monarchs usually lay a single egg on a plant, often on the bottom of a leaf near the top of the plant. Monarch development from egg to adult is completed in about 30 days. Butterflies and moths undergo complete metamorphosis, in which there are four distinct stages: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa, and adult. The wings develop externally, and there is no prolonged immobile (pupal) stage. The young nymphs usually look much like small wingless adults. An example of incomplete metamorphosis is found in grasshoppers. There are two kinds of metamorphosis, incomplete (or simple) metamorphosis, and complete metamorphosis. All insects change in form as they grow this process is called metamorphosis. ![]()
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