One of my hobbies is to raise monarch caterpillars and protect them while they develop until they become butterflies. The chances of a monarch caterpillar's survival is only 2% in nature. One butterfly lies about 400 eggs and only 8 typically live to become adult butterflies. In recent years the monarch population has drastically declined. I enjoy helping to increase the chances of their survival. This year I've had my largest "batch" ever with over 20 butterflies emerging during the month of June.
The process is absolutely amazing. Within a few weeks they grow over 2,000 times their original size and completely transform, changing to a distinctly separate organism entirely.
These caterpillars start as eggs, almost invisible to the naked eye. I keep an eye out for any holes in the leaves of my milkweed plants. Once I find a caterpillar, I move him into my mesh caterpillar habitat and place him on a milkweed plant that has a much greater chance of survival.
As the caterpillars grow, they eat A LOT. There have been many days where I had to make an emergency trip out to get more milkweed plants. I have found that a cucumber is a good substitute for one day, in case of emergency. They molt several times as they grow, splitting their old skin.
Once the caterpillar is ready to form a chrysallis, they climb into a spot the believe will be the most safe and hang out there to make sure. They then spin silk to attach and hang head-down in a "J" shape.
About a day later, they straighten and start pulsating strongly. They tear through their exoskeleton and expose the pupa. It first appears as a light green milky substance. Over the next few hours, the green darkens slightly and a beautiful gold trim appears. You can immediately see the outline of the wings within the pupa.
The Monarch chrysalis remains in this state for 1-2 weeks. During this period, the entire internal contents of the caterpillar (including the muscles, digestive system, heart, and nervous system) are totally rebuilt. They lose half of their weight due to the tremendous amount of energy it takes for this transformation. The day before they emerge, you will notice that the color of the chrysalis darkens. The following morning it will appear black. It's actually clear - if you look within you can see the orange on the wings.
That morning the Monarch will emerge. The prior yellow, white, and black striped body has changed into a black body with white dots. The atenna and legs are completely different as well. The wings are folded at first. The Monarch must hang upside down to allow fluids to surge to the end of the wings and dry. It will take several hours for the butterfly to prepare for their first flight. As they get ready to fly, they'll flap their wings, learning to use them. I let them go that afternoon. It's so beautiful to see them soar for the first time.
Monarch butterflies typically live two to six weeks. During this time, I'll find many of them coming back to lie eggs on the same plants they were born on. The process repeats. The last generation of a season is born in September and October. This generation migrates South to Mexico, where it will live for six to eight months until it's time to repeat the cycle.
I love to see the process of change. It's a great natural example of the change that we all go through and that is possible in each of us. It's also amazing to see that with a little guidance and love, the chance of success is vastly higher.
“If we could see the miracle in a single flower clearly,
Our whole life would change.” ~Buddha
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