1. LIFE CYCLE OF A BUTTERFLY
CHALLENGE QUESTIONS 1 2 3 4
EGG
BUTTERFLY
CATERPILLAR
CHRYSALIS

2. EGG STAGE
The egg of a monarch butterfly is very small and white
You can find them on what is called a milkweed plant
The eggs are usually laid between the months of March and April
It takes about 4 days for an egg to hatch
MILKWEED

3. Did you know that the Monarch butterfly is known by scientists as Danaus plexippus?
In Greek it literally means "sleepy transformation."

4. CATERPILLAR STAGE This could also be called a larva
They normally grow to be about two inches long
After hatching, the caterpillar is so small it can barely be seen.
In just 9 to 14 days it is about " long and is now full grown.
A caterpillar has eight pair of legs, the first three pair of legs later become the butterfly's legs.

5. How long do monarch
butterflies live?
Each adult butterfly lives only about four to five weeks

6. CHRYSALIS STAGE This can also be called a pupa.
To get here the caterpillar hangs
upside-down in a “J” shape.
They hang like this for about a day.
At first the chrysalis is very soft, an hour later it hardens.

7. Where do
monarch
butterflies
migrate to?
The middle of Mexico

8. BUTTERFLY STAGE The butterfly stays in the chrysalis from 9-14 days.
You are able to see it change from green to orange and black.
When it emerges the wings are
wet and it is very fragile.
It take the wings about an hour to
dry and become full size.
It takes the butterfly 4-6 days in
order to mature so they can lay eggs.

9. How far do
monarch
butterflies travel
a day when migrating?
They move at a pace between 50 to 80 miles a day.

10. Fun Facts
Monarch butterflies are the only insect to migrate up to 2,500 miles to get out of the cold weather and hibernate.
Did you know that monarch butterflies are poisonous?
 The female Monarch lays about 400 eggs on the underside of a separate leaves of milkweed plants.
Monarch butterflies begin life as eggs and hatch as
larvae that eat their eggshells.
When the caterpillars shed their skin they actually eat it.
More Information!