The Life Cycle of a Monarch Butterfly.  The Monarch Butterflies go through four stages in their life cycle.

1. Egg

   • A butterfly starts its life as a tiny egg.

2. Larva (Caterpillar)

   • The egg hatches into a caterpillar. Caterpillars have five stages of growth called instars. In each Instar the caterpillar sheds its skin to become bigger and to grow into a new skin.

     • First Instar: The caterpillar eats its eggshell and leaves.

     • Second Instar: It starts to get its color.

     • Third Instar: Its color becomes brighter, and it develops legs.

     • Fourth Instar: It sheds its skin again and eats more.

     • Fifth Instar: The caterpillar forms a pupa and sheds its skin one last time.

3. Pupa (Chrysalis)

   • Inside the pupa, the caterpillar transforms into a butterfly.

   • This stage lasts 10 to 14 days.

4. Butterfly

   • Finally, the adult butterfly emerges from the pupa with wings.

   • Migration of Monarch Butterflies

   • Monarch butterflies have an incredible journey.

5. They migrate from Mexico to Canada, flying up to 3000 miles.

6. There are two main migration routes:

   • Eastern Monarchs travel from Mexico through Florida and up the East Coast.

   • Western Monarchs travel through California.

7. Monarch butterflies have orange wings because of the pigment in milkweed, their main food.

8. They lay eggs on milkweed plants, which are their only host plants.

9. Female Monarchs can lay hundreds of eggs in their lifetime.

10. Citizen scientists in Florida help track Monarch migration by tagging butterflies.

11. Many people in Florida plant butterfly gardens to help Monarchs find food and shelter on their journey.

12. Butterfly Wings: Butterflies have scales on their wings that create their beautiful patterns and colors.

13. Metamorphosis: Metamorphosis is the process of changing from one form to another. Butterflies undergo complete metamorphosis.

14. Monarch Appearance: Monarch butterflies have black and orange wings with white spots along the edges.

15. Monarch Lifespan: Adult Monarch butterflies live for about 2-6 weeks.

16. Migration Routes: Monarchs use air currents to help them travel long distances during migration.

17. Monarch Clustering: Monarchs often cluster together in large groups during migration to conserve energy.

18. Butterfly Adaptations: Butterflies use their antennae to sense smells and tastes.

19. Butterfly Senses: They can see ultraviolet light, which helps them find nectar in flowers.

20. Milkweed Relationship: Monarch caterpillars eat milkweed leaves, which contain toxins that make them taste bad to predators.