Monarch Butterfly  Danaus plexippus                     Life Cycle                                  ©Stephen Pitt 2008-2011                                                                                                                                                                                                 Monarch depositing egg on Milkweed                                                                                                                                                                                Egg                                                                                                                                            The larva is about 2mm long                                                                                                                                                                                                                             The remnant of the caterpillar's former skin is shed, revealing a larger one underneath.                                                                                                          This larva is about 45mm long and close to ending it's feeding cycle.  Soon it will begin the search for a suitable location to hang and pupate.                                                                                                                                                                           All imagery © Stephen Pitt 2008-2011                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     The otherwise green, translucent pupa turns transparent a day or two before the adult emerges.                                                                                                            >                                                                                                                                                                   >                                                                                                                                                                         >                                                                                                                                                                     >                                                                                                                                                                      >                                                                                                                                                                                             All imagery © Stephen Pitt 2008-2011 Eye of the Monarch                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       All imagery © Stephen Pitt 2008-2011 First Caterpillar, 5-16-2011    It is about 2 mm long