They begin life by eating their eggshell, and then move on to the plant on which they were laid. When the caterpillar has become too large for its skin, it molts, or sheds its skin. At first, the new skin is very soft, and provides little support or protection. The new skin soon hardens and molds itself to the caterpillar, which often eats the shed skin before starting in anew on plant food!
The intervals between molts are called instars. Monarchs go through five instars see photo. Approximate length of body at each stage: 1st instar, mm; 2nd instar, mm; 3rd instar, mm; 4th instar, mm; 5th instar, mm. During the pupal stage the transformation from larva to adult is completed. Pupae are much less mobile than larvae or adults, but they often exhibit sudden movements if they are disturbed. Like other butterflies, Monarch pupae are well-camouflaged, since they have no other means of defense against predators.
The primary job of the adult stage is to reproduce - to mate and lay the eggs that will become the next generation. Females begin laying eggs right after their first mating, and both sexes will mate several times during their lives.
Adults in summer generations live from two to five weeks. Caterpillar Life-cycle. Survival strategies. Other facts. Caterpillar pests. Hairy caterpillars.
Butterfly Caterpillars. Moth Caterpillars. Sawfly Larvae. Other Larvae. This site uses cookies. Some are essential and some improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is used. You can opt-out if you wish. Read More Accept. Cookies Policy. Close Privacy Overview This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website.
We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The wings and other adult organs develop from tiny clusters of cells already present in the larva, and by the time the larva pupates, the major changes to the adult form have already begun.
During the pupal stage this transformation is completed. Many moth caterpillars but not all spin a silken cocoon to protect them as pupae. Butterflies do not do this, and their pupa stage is often called a chrysalis.
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