Recently my good friend Marit, a Norwegian gardener extraordinaire, commented that she took great delight in the beauty of a Monarch, and hoped to see more pictures of this most enigmatic of butterflies.
I am glad to oblige.
Female
Male
The male shown above was raised by us from egg to adult butterfly and is drying its wings after emerging from the chrysalis.
It is a fascinating exercise to raise butterflies and anyone can do it with ease. In addition to Monarchs we have raised Black Swallowtails (Papilio polyxenes) and Giant Swallowtails (Papilio cresphontes).
Black Swallowtail
Giant Swallowtail
Here is how it all begins, with the tiny egg laid on the underside of a Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) leaf.
Milkweeds are critical to Monarchs who are unable to breed without access to a species of Asclepias.
Monarchs go through five larval instars; shown below is a tiny first instar chomping its way through milkweed and producing a copious amount of frass (poop).
It should be noted that as the caterpillar progresses from one instar to the next it moults its outer cuticle.
When the chrysalis is formed it is an exquisitely beautiful structure containing all the genetic material required to produce a resplendent Monarch butterfly.
It is a waiting game now, for about nine to fourteen days, until the butterfly emerges, but towards the end of the pupation cycle there is much to see.
Actually, Miriam caught this astonishing sequence of the caterpillar shedding its final skin as it metamorphosed to a chrysalis. In the four pictures below, from the first to the last only five minutes had elapsed.
As soon as the adult emerges from its "imprisonment" it pumps its wings full of air and rests for a period to dry out.
Here you see two freshly eclosed butterflies, with a chrysalis containing another in the background.
Within an hour or two the butterflies are released and - incredibly - will embark on a journey to spend the winter in Mexico.
There is much more to be said about this phenomenal creature, but the purpose of this post is to satisfy Marit's request for more pictures, so that's what I will leave you with.
Es bonito ver la evolución del nacimiento de una mariposa. Hay que ser un experto, para distinguir el macho de la hembra.
ReplyDeleteUn abrazo.
THANK YOU, MIRIAM and Marit.
ReplyDeleteHello David :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos of the Magnificent Monarch, a butterfly I have only seen in the Algarve and have always admired it's instant appeal. David, I have numerous butterfly books but not one mentions the difference between the male and female, so thank you for showing the photos of the male's spots. I also didn't know the scientific name Homometaboly the process of egg to butterfly and what an amazing process it is. My good friend Nick Morgan raises butterflies and Debbie also, so I know how it's done, but never find an egg, instar or caterpillar.:( I'm sure our friend Marit will be delighted with all the fabulous Monarch photos, as I am. Thank you so much for the knowledge you shared
Hari OM
ReplyDeleteWell.... thank you Marit!!! And thank you David (and Miriam) for obliging. YAM xx
Hello David :)
ReplyDeleteThe photos of the magnificent Monarch butterfly are incredibly beautiful. It is a butterfly I have only seen in the algarve, and have always admired it's instant appeal.David I have numerous butterfly books but not one shows the difference between male and female, so I thank you for your fabulous photos in which the spots on the male are clearly visible. I also didn't know the scientific name holometaboly for the different stages from egg to butterfly which is truly amazing. My good friends Nick and Debbie raise butterflies, so I have seen and marvelled at the process before, and always wanted to have a go, but have never found an egg or instar. I'm sure our mutual friend Marit will be delighted with these photos, as am I. Thank you so much for the beauty and knowledge you shared.
Hugs and kisses
Sonjia.
Monarch is a fitting name for this regal creature, Sonjia.
Delete...I remember Andy, a Canadian blogger
ReplyDelete(https://eycandy.blogspot.com/)
tell me that Monarchs were known as King Billies.
I wonder what happened to him?
DeleteThank you for this wonderful series of lifecycle pictures. I know classroom teachers and libraries who raise butterflies. How soon do you release them?
ReplyDeleteWe keep them indoors until their wings have become functional (one to two hours) and they are walking and climbing in the cage. We then set the cage outside with the door open and within minutes they are gone.
DeleteThank you so much for sharing the lovely photos of the beautiful Monarch. I'm so sad that they are not living in my part of the world. The plants they need for their survival are critical. I'm so happy that you care so much for them. Thank you for all the knowledge you share. Thanks to Miriam too!
ReplyDeleteHugs and kisses, Marit
Our pleasure, Marit. Hugs and kisses - David
DeleteBeautiful series of photos of the monarch butterfly David.
ReplyDeleteHere in the Netherlands the butterfly is in very bad shape, the number has never been as low as this year, they only counted five and last year there were eight.
Greetings Irma
You will have to start a campaign, Irma, to have every single gardener in the Netherlands to plant milkweed and that might help to spur a recovery. Without milkweed they cannot breed.
DeleteBeautiful. One could say you had a birds eye view with the butterflies.
ReplyDeleteI've been in a big aviary of butterflies, and it was amazing and beautiful.
The photos are excellent.
you gave us much more than pictures. wow! this would make an excellent childrens book because it tells the story perfectly.. I am impressed with the photos the words the info. thank you..
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful! From that tiny egg to the beautiful butterfly...the process is amazing.
ReplyDeleteA very successful presentation.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and amazing series of photos of the monarch butterfly. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteDavid, Isn't it amazing that something so fragile can travel so far? I love that you raise butterflies, especially the Monarchs that need all the help they can get. Have you seen those kits for raising butterflies for kids ? I've been thinking about one for grands.
ReplyDeleteYour posts always brighten my day:) Okay, except for the snakes. Hehe. Although, one you posted looked like it was smiling.
Hi, Sandra: I have not seen kits for kids, but it’s a simple procedure, and not much equipment is required.
DeleteWow what an amazing journey in photos of this gorgeous butterfly. Really enjoyed it :-D
ReplyDeleteWow, superb photos. So beautiful butterfly.
ReplyDeleteFascinating post, and superb photos. Thanks to Miriam and to you!
ReplyDeleteExquisite photos of the Monarchs and the Black Swallowtail - well done Miriam.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know how to tell a male from a female, so it's really interesting to learn that. Thank you! I've looked for eggs on my milkweed and caterpillars too, but so far, I've only seen adult butterflies. It may still be a bit early. I love how you have raised butterflies. That is such a good thing to do. And I wanted to also say I agree that Gerald Durrell was a great naturalist. And a good writer. The biography I read mentions many of the good things he did, and I didn't mention that in my review. Hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteLovely creatures. Thank you. Thanks for planting milkweed.
ReplyDeleteOh my..! what wonderful butterflies. Everything is spectacular, their cycle, the differentiation between female and male, i learn a lot and it is fascinating; the photographs are breathtaking.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the images from my site, i do not own them; only borrow them from the net of the site of their respective artists and representatives, otherwise i would gladly send them to you.
🌸🌟💕🐰👼 💖🌟💕💘☀️🌸🌼🐰🐻 💖🌟💕💘☀️🌸🌼
Many hugs for you and for Miriam, have a placid and calm night.
Yes, it's a beauty, as are these photos. The other day I delighted in seeing two Monarchs seemingly discoursing with each other. Brought smiles.
ReplyDeleteThank you, David and Miriam.
Hello. Great photos, where the whole life cycle is depicted. Beautiful butterfly.
ReplyDeleteSuperb photos and butterflies...
ReplyDeleteLove them flying around...
Have a shinny day !
Anna
Hi David.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful caterpillars.
Beautiful dolls.
And beautiful butterflies they will be.
Greetings from Patricia.
And thank you for sharing them with us, David. I enjoyed this life history and always appreciate your enthusiasm and efforts for the creatures of this world.
ReplyDeleteYour butterflies. Wow. I have never seen this happen -- just wonderful photos and yours are the best. What a terrific experience in every way. Thanks for this one. (Seeing very few butterflies here this year.)
ReplyDeleteNice series! They are fascinating critters.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! When I was a child, I brought into the house a caterpillar on a leaf from my yard. I put in a jar and punched holes in the lid with a nail. Lo and behold, the metamorphosis began, and a Monarch finally emerged. Fascinating to my young eyes!
ReplyDeleteOuh, what a interesting story! So beautiful butterfly!
ReplyDeleteAn exquisite process captured beautifully David, and with such an interesting narrative. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI need to plant some milkweed.
ReplyDeleteYOU, have a glorious day.
If you lived close by I could give you seeds for three species.
DeleteBeautiful photos. I like very much the butterflies, beautiful colours.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for these remarkable photos and the walk through their life cycle and sex difference. It has been way too long since I visited your beautiful blog and must do so again very soon. Aloha to you from Honolulu
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for these wonderful photos and the interesting narrative through them. It has been way too long since I visited your beautiful blog. Aloha from Honolulu!
ReplyDeleteWhat my eyes see is a wonderful spectacle ending with the birth of extraordinary butterflies. I am delighted with the series of photos.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much and I send you greetings:)
Beautifully done David. I did a post similar to this several years ago because my brother-in-law was raising monarchs so I had access to all the stages. I have to say that your pictures put mine to shame. Our community has planted milkweed everywhere and I just checked with several people that raise the monarchs and they have only seen one or two this year. Two years ago we were inundated.. Can't have too many. I don't know what has happened to them. Lovely post. Hugs
ReplyDeleteThank you, Missy. Hugs - David
DeleteDear David,
ReplyDeletesuch a superb blog this is! Monarch butterflies are soooo beautiful and their 'story of life' is amazing. Also amazing that you are able to have them at home coming from egg to butterfly. Really marvelous that you can show this.
They don't fly in Europe, but I saw a few in Africa. I was very surprised, but we had a biologist in our group that confirmed the species and that they are rather common over there.
And you are right about showing this to kids. No better biology-lesson than to see this development.
Best regards, Corrie
It really is quite a thrill, Corrie. We have two first instar caterpillars right now. They just hatched out of the egg today.
DeleteOne of the joys of blogging is finding a blog like Travels with Birds. What a wonderful post on one of my favorite creatures of Nature. Thank you, David, for sharing. John
ReplyDeleteThank you, John.
DeleteDaivd - thank you for this truly amazing post with such exquisite photos. Such a gift to experience this. I haven't seen any Monarchs this year, but saw a few in the neighborhood last year. Still, to witness the entire process is a very different thing altogether. Thank you for sharing this with us. I'm still in awe.
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure, Carola. It is apparent from reading the comments that it has resonated with many readers, so I am glad that Marit wanted additional pictures. That was the foundation stone for this post.
DeleteSuch a gorgeous series of photos, David. I don't think that I have ever seen all the stages photographed with such detail and beauty.
ReplyDeleteThis year we have had fewer (species of) butterflies than usually. At least, the bumblebees are very many.
Thank you for your comment today. I can immagine both Japan and South Korea are countries where you can experience customer service of a very high standard.
What an incredible and detailed account of the Monarch's life cycle! The transformation from egg to butterfly is truly mesmerizing, and your photos beautifully illustrate each stage. It’s wonderful that you’re sharing this experience, and it’s clear how much passion you have for butterfly raising and nature.
ReplyDeleteI just posted a new blog post at www.melodyjacob.com, I invite you to read and let me know what you think about it. Thank you!
These photos were so beautiful and I never knew the difference between male and female. Your love of nature shines through this entire post. I have never raised monarchs but one of my co-workers did, back in 2012, and wrote a children's story about it. Another co worker sent me pictures of the release, which I still have. Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteGreat post on the caterpillars and butterflies! Beautiful photos. Take care, enjoy your day and happy weekend.
ReplyDeleteOne summer when I still lived in the city I had a lot of milkweed in the yard and consequently a lot of Monarch caterpillars and finally had chrysalises hanging all over the house. One day I sat and watched the transformation from caterpillar to chrysalis and was astounded at how quickly it happened. Unfortunately sometimes when the butterfly emerges it doesn't have enough room to fully inflate and drop their wings which results in deformed wings and the inability to fly.
ReplyDeleteMuch can go wrong, of course. Mother Nature is a stern and sometimes unforgiving mistress. Right now we are raising (outdoors, but protected) Polyphemus Moths. We started with twelve eggs and have only two healthy caterpillars remaining. They should pupate any day now.
DeleteThe blankets are retuned and the equivalent of 10 cents is received on a voucher, which can be used for shopping.
ReplyDeleteit is a beautiful butterfly :)
ReplyDeleteIt's really a treat for us to see your photos and learn even more about these fascinating butterflies! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots, David.
ReplyDeleteMe ha parecido precioso. Gracias. Besos.
ReplyDelete