Can You See The Wings?

From Larva to Chrysalis

A Close Up View

Any Day Now - I Shall Be A Butterfly

First, a correction. Monarchs have neither caterpillars nor cocoons. The have larva and chrysalises.

It’s been about 10 days . I still haven’t found the other five, but this one, hanging from the aster by the steps, is in full view.

Can you see the wings beginning to develop?

According to the the US Forest Service:

The pupa of a butterfly is called a chrysalis rather than a cocoon. The difference in the structures is that many moths spin a layer of silk for protection and this structure is called a cocoon. They remain in the chrysalis for about 8-12 days, depending on temperature.

The chrysalis is simply the word for the butterfly during the pupa stage. The outside of the chrysalis is the exoskeleton, or skin, of the pupa. When it becomes time for the larva (caterpillar) to become a chrysalis, the caterpillar spins a silk button from which it hangs. The larva forms its body in a J-shape and the skin splits and falls away. Underneath the old skin is the jade green chrysalis.

And, according to New Hampshire Fish and Wildlife:

The last generation of monarch butterflies born in northern states in August do not breed, but instead begin flying south to Mexico for the winter. Throughout their journey they are vulnerable to fall hurricanes, early frosts and cold snaps.

As the wings mature, the jade green turns almost black. And then cracks. If it’s a warm day, the newly hatched butterfly is on wing in minutes. If it hatches on a damp day, it could take a full day for the wings to expand and harden up. I’m watching and hoping for the best.