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Monarch Life Cycle · **9 Likes**

Out on the trail one fine sunny day, we happened to notice a Monarch caterpillar about ready to pupate (you can tell by the "J" shape that she's ready to become a chrysalis):

A day and a half later, her appearance was a bit changed:

While in its pupal case, an insect larva turns to "bug soup" and then reorganizes itself into the adult. It's been less than two weeks, and you can begin to see the color of the wings:

Later that same day, our newly emerged friend is out and almost ready to fly:

Her first flight brings her to a nearby Butterflyweed (orange milkweed):

I felt quite fortunate to be able to spot this little friend and follow her progress. Hope you enjoyed seeing a bit of the Monarch life cycle as well!

**c.perkins** · 10-30-2017, 06:20 PM

Wonderful series.
Thanks;
Clarence

**eaglem** · 10-30-2017, 10:08 PM

Originally posted by c.perkins

Wonderful series.
Thanks;
Clarence

Totally agree.

**Jacquot** · 10-31-2017, 01:40 AM

Very special, thank you!

redpit · 10-31-2017, 01:57 AM

Superb series! Congratulations!

**monochrome** · 10-31-2017, 05:06 AM

It’s one thing to see nature. It’s another to capture and preserve it so beautifully.

slowpez · 10-31-2017, 06:09 AM

Fascinating series Mole.

SJM · 10-31-2017, 09:46 AM

That was excellent. thanks for sharing with us..

mole · 10-31-2017, 05:29 PM

Originally posted by c.perkins

Wonderful series.
Thanks;
Clarence

Thank you!

Originally posted by eaglem

Totally agree.

Glad you enjoyed these.

Originally posted by Jacquot

Very special, thank you!

And thanks for taking time to comment!

Originally posted by redpit

Superb series! Congratulations!

I am blessed to live where these small discoveries are an everyday occurence...

Originally posted by monochrome

It’s one thing to see nature. It’s another to capture and preserve it so beautifully.

You are too kind!

Originally posted by slowpez

Fascinating series Mole.

Thanks!

Originally posted by SJM

That was excellent. thanks for sharing with us..

Thank you!

**aslyfox** · 10-31-2017, 05:33 PM

one of the interesting things about the Monarch Butterfly is that the life span of the adult form varies

The Monarch migrates from its Summer ranges to winter in Mexico or California. Usually the adult form lived for a limited time but those which migrate live long enough to reach Mexico or California and return north

"Stage 4
This generation repeats the processes the other three generations of Monarch butterflies underwent, but with the one crucial difference of traveling (migrating) to California through Mexico to enjoy the warmer climate there. They live for six to eight months until they again get ready to undertake the return migration.
Note: In effect, the fourth generation of the Monarch butterflies are the only ones that migrate, as, sadly, the butterflies of the first three generations hardly survive beyond 6 weeks of emerging from their pupas "

Monarch Butterflies- Facts to Amaze Your Friends!

traveler57 · 11-01-2017, 06:18 AM

Congratulations on the sighting and the result of your research.
The development steps are very well documented.
With this result, you can be more than satisfied. !!!

Elliot · 11-17-2017, 05:36 PM

Wonderful series!

Janse · 11-26-2017, 01:00 PM

Extraordinary nice and impressive!

GeoJerry · 11-26-2017, 03:02 PM

Great series, I admire your patience! All of the shots are very sharp,

Urs · 11-26-2017, 03:23 PM

Fantastic set! Thanks for sharing!

mole
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10-30-2017, 06:20 PM	#2
c.perkins Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: New Lisbon, WI. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 515	Wonderful series. Thanks; Clarence

10-30-2017, 10:08 PM	#3
eaglem Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Perth Western Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 43,163	Originally posted by c.perkins Wonderful series. Thanks; Clarence Totally agree.

10-31-2017, 01:40 AM	#4
Jacquot Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sun City Center, FL Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,544	Very special, thank you!

10-31-2017, 01:57 AM	#5
redpit Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Greece Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,858	Superb series! Congratulations!

10-31-2017, 05:06 AM	#6
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	It’s one thing to see nature. It’s another to capture and preserve it so beautifully.

10-31-2017, 06:09 AM	#7
slowpez Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: South Carolina, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 18,461	Fascinating series Mole.

10-31-2017, 09:46 AM	#8
SJM Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Northeastern Ohio Photos: Albums Posts: 1,358	That was excellent. thanks for sharing with us..

10-31-2017, 05:29 PM	#9
mole Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Tennessee Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,432 Original Poster	Originally posted by c.perkins Wonderful series. Thanks; Clarence Thank you! Originally posted by eaglem Totally agree. Glad you enjoyed these. Originally posted by Jacquot Very special, thank you! And thanks for taking time to comment! Originally posted by redpit Superb series! Congratulations! I am blessed to live where these small discoveries are an everyday occurence... Originally posted by monochrome It’s one thing to see nature. It’s another to capture and preserve it so beautifully. You are too kind! Originally posted by slowpez Fascinating series Mole. Thanks! Originally posted by SJM That was excellent. thanks for sharing with us.. Thank you!

10-31-2017, 05:33 PM	#10
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,583	one of the interesting things about the Monarch Butterfly is that the life span of the adult form varies The Monarch migrates from its Summer ranges to winter in Mexico or California. Usually the adult form lived for a limited time but those which migrate live long enough to reach Mexico or California and return north "Stage 4 This generation repeats the processes the other three generations of Monarch butterflies underwent, but with the one crucial difference of traveling (migrating) to California through Mexico to enjoy the warmer climate there. They live for six to eight months until they again get ready to undertake the return migration. Note: In effect, the fourth generation of the Monarch butterflies are the only ones that migrate, as, sadly, the butterflies of the first three generations hardly survive beyond 6 weeks of emerging from their pupas " Monarch Butterflies- Facts to Amaze Your Friends!

11-01-2017, 06:18 AM	#11
traveler57 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: North of Germany Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 142	Congratulations on the sighting and the result of your research. The development steps are very well documented. With this result, you can be more than satisfied. !!!

11-26-2017, 01:00 PM	#13
Janse Inactive Account Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 4,460	Extraordinary nice and impressive!

11-17-2017, 05:36 PM	#12
Elliot Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: South Carolina Photos: Gallery Posts: 281	Wonderful series!

11-26-2017, 03:02 PM	#14
GeoJerry Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,158	Great series, I admire your patience! All of the shots are very sharp,

11-26-2017, 03:23 PM	#15
Urs Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Panama Posts: 804	Fantastic set! Thanks for sharing!

Macro Monarch Life Cycle

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