The Life Cycle of a Monarch

Butterfly
Danus plexippus
By Devin Slegeski
Intro to Educational Technology
EME 2040
October 18, 2015

The Lifecycle of a Monarch Butterfly

First Stage: The Egg

The egg is the size
of the head of a
pin and is usually
laid on the
milkweed plant.
The Milkweed
plant is the source
of nutrients for
the developing

First Stage: The Egg

Here we see a
close up image of a
Monarch butterfly
egg attached to a
milkweed leaf.
It is approximately
.5 mm.

Predators in the First Stage

The most common
predator in the first
stage is the newly
hatched caterpillar its
self
Occasionally ants or
mites may become
predatory

Second Stage: The Caterpillar

The second stage
of a Monarch
Butterflys life is
the caterpillar, or
larvae stage.
Monarch
caterpillars are
approximately
one inch long.

Second Stage: The Caterpillar

After about
two weeks of
eating
milkweed and
growing, the
Monarch
caterpillar finds
a place to
attach itself.
At this point it

Predators in the Second Stage

Spiders can be
predators of the
Monarch caterpillar
So can wasps
Monarch caterpillars
defend themselves
against predators
with their bright
color scheme

Third Stage: The Chrysalis

The Chrysalis is made
of silk that is spun by
the caterpillar.
The caterpillar stays
inside its protective
chrysalis for about 10
days.
Even though it seems
there is nothing
happening for the 10
days, the parts of the

Fourth Stage: The Butterfly

After about 10 days
in the chrysalis, the
Monarch Butterfly
emerges with its
distinctive orange
and black markings.
It takes about an
hour for the butterfly
to be able to fly after

Fourth Stage: The Butterfly

The newly
hatched
Monarch will
spend the
remaining six
weeks of its life
feeding.
After about six
weeks, the
Monarch

References
Kinsman, Ted. Close up of Monarch Egg. ND. Retrieved from
http://tedkinsman.photoshelter.com/image/I0000U.bbhqhTA.M
Learner.org. Monarch egg and pin. ND. Retrieved from
https://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/monarch/SpringWatch.html
The Kennedy Center. Lifecycle of a Monarch Butterfly. 2014.
Retrieved from http://artsedge.kennedycenter.org/educators/lessons/grade-k-2/Butterfly_Dance

References
Andys Lens. Monarch Caterpillar. 2012. Retrieved from
http://andyslens.zenfolio.com/blog/2012/5/caterpillar-chrysalisbutterfly
Hall, Betty. Monarch Caterpillar. 2011. Retrieved from
http://www.bettyhallphotography.com/blog/wpcontent/gallery/butterfly-life-cycles/monarch-butterfly-chrysalis.jpg
Hall, Betty. Monarch Cocoon. 2011. Retrieved from
http://www.bettyhallphotography.com/blog/wpcontent/gallery/butterfly-life-cycles/monarch-butterfly-chrysalis.jpg

References
Wikimedia. Monarch Butterfly. ND. Retrieved from
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/63/Monarch_In_
May.jpg
National Geographic. Monarch Butterfly. ND. Retrieved from
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/content/dam/kids/photos/animals
/Bugs/H-P/monarch-butterfly-orange-flower.jpg
ButterflyFunFacts.com. Spider and Monarch Caterpillar. ND.
Retrieved from http://www.butterflyfunfacts.com/images/spmnc6.jpg