The Life Cycle of a Monarch Butterfly Stage 1 | Monarch butterflies lay their eggs on the underside of leaves to keep them protected from weather and predators. Stage 2 | After four days, baby caterpillars hatch from the eggs and become baby caterpillars, or larvae. Baby Monarch caterpillars are very hungry and must eat all the time to ensure they grow into full-size caterpillars. Stage 3 | After two weeks, the caterpillar attaches itself to a stick or leaf and begins spinning silk around itself to form a chrysalis. Within the chrysalis, the old body parts are transforming into new parts. This process is called metamorphosis. Stage 4 | After two more weeks, the adult Monarch butterfly climbs out of the pupa and waits for it’s wings to dry. Finally, the butterfly spreads it’s wings, quivers them to be sure they are stiff, and then flies away, to feed on a variety of flowers.