06/21/2024
The Monarch Butterfly Life Cycle and Milkweed Connection
The monarch butterfly is one of Texas’s most iconic pollinators, known for its stunning orange and black wings and epic migration journey. Did you know that monarchs rely heavily on milkweed plants for their survival?
Here's a closer look at their journey from egg to adult butterfly 🐛➡️🦋
Egg Stage: Monarch butterflies lay their eggs exclusively on milkweed plants. Each egg is tiny, about the size of a pinhead, and hatches in about 4 days.
Caterpillar Stage: Once hatched, the caterpillar (larva) begins to feast on milkweed leaves. This stage lasts about 10-14 days, during which the caterpillar grows rapidly, shedding its skin multiple times.
Chrysalis Stage: After reaching full size, the caterpillar forms a chrysalis, or pupa. Inside this green casing, the incredible transformation occurs! This stage lasts about 10 days.
Adult Butterfly: The adult monarch emerges from the chrysalis, ready to begin its life as a butterfly. This adult stage can last from 2 to 6 weeks, except for the generation that migrates, which can live up to 8 months!
By protecting and planting our native milkweeds, we can help these pollinators on their long journey from Canada to Mexico!
📸 Sean Fitzgerald
