I really enjoy watching the monarch caterpillars that come and eat the plant called swamp weed. Last night I noticed one dormant and just hanging and then this morning a chrysalis....I couldn't believe it happened so fast overnight. I wish I could of seen the inbetween steps in forming the chrysalis.. Monarch caterpillar ( photo / image / picture from Sherry8's Garden ) Monarch caterpillar ( photo / image / picture from Sherry8's Garden ) Monarch caterpillar ( photo / image / picture from Sherry8's Garden ) Monarch caterpillar ( photo / image / picture from Sherry8's Garden ) Monarch caterpillar ( photo / image / picture from Sherry8's Garden ) Chrysalis 2011 ( photo / image / picture from Sherry8's Garden )
I found a Monarch chrysalis a couple of years ago hanging on a planter in about October. The cold got it before the butterfly could emerge. They are a beautiful green and that line of gold dots on one side makes it really jewel like. Photo #5 is just before he/she started creating the chrysalis.
You have to wonder why it evolved such conspicuous markings. Is it meant to look disgusting-tasting? Thanks for posting these Sherry.
toni...yes, that last picture before the chrysalis is what I call the dormant stage. It was nice of him to do it in the front of the bed but I was hoping he wouldn't go from that stage to the chrysalis all in one night. Maybe I can catch another one in the process. I had at least a dozen caterpillars and now I can only find 2-3 on the branches so the others have ate enough and will be in the process. Our weather here is confusing, first it is warm (yesterday high 80's) and then down to the 40's next week at night...so it isn't a wonder why some of the chrysalis don't make it. I wonder if they were brought inside if they would wait until spring to hatch or come out? My cat would go crazy chasing a butterfly around the house. Monarch caterpillar ( photo / image / picture from Sherry8's Garden ) Monarch caterpillar ( photo / image / picture from Sherry8's Garden )
Those area great. I have yet to find a chrysalis... sure would be amazing to see and capture the entire process.
Wow sherry8. Those are some super photo's. God sure has created some amazing creatures. How neat to have so many of them grace your flower beds.
I think the bright coloration is a warning flag to the monarchs predators which says, in effect, 'IF YOU EAT ME, YOU DIE!!'... Their larval host plant, the milkweed, is toxic. This toxicity is absorbed without deleterious effect by the larva during consumption and remains in the larva and adult to wreak its havoc on whatever consumes the monarch larva or adult.. I think this type of protection works for some other organisms, also.. Hank
