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The Egg
The female butterfly lays an egg onto the leaf of a milkweed plant. -
The Egg Hatches
After four days the egg hatches and the larva emerges. -
Period: to
The Caterpillar Stage
Monarch Caterpillar Eating During the Caterpillar Stage the larva, or caterpillar, stores energy by eating lots of food. -
The Chrysalis is Formed
The caterpillar hangs upside down from a twig or a leaf, molts, and encases itself in a green exoskeleton. -
Period: to
The Chrysalis Stage
Monarch Chrysalis Time Lapse Inside the chrysalis the caterpillar transforms into a butterfly. -
The Mature Butterly Emerges
The butterfly emerges from the chrysalis and hangs there while its wings dry. -
The Butterfly Leaves the Chrysalis
In the afternoon when its wings have dried the Monarch butterly leaves the chrysalis in search of food.
