We bought a milkweed plant that came complete with its own little cat. It is a Monarch and we named her Chomp. The following series of 9 photos show her turning into a butterfly. She went out into the world today. Karen
Metamorphosis
Immediately before shedding and becoming a crysalis, the Monarch attaches to something with a white "glue" and, head down, forms the letter J.
Chomp was very cooperative and waited unti 9:30 AM to burst out into the Crysalis. The whole process took 10 minutes.
Midway.
Complete.
Full Crysalis.
Chomp and Milkweed.
Over the period of about 10 days, the Crysalis becomes less opaque and it is possible to see the butterfly forming within.
Drying her wings the day before seeing the world. Karen
Oops, let's try that again.
Great series Karen! Very nice photos. Having watched the whole process live, I appreciate your patience.
Maggie
I was like a kindergarden kid, just awestruck!
angele
Mar 09, 2006
I know what you mean! I'm 50 but these kind of garden moments make me feel like a child.. filled with wonder and happiness.
Thanks so much for the great feelings!!
Angele
At 59 I have you beat Angele, but as a 5 year breast cancer survivor, I take enjoyment from so much more than I used to. Karen
Amazing. Just seeing the whole process through these photos makes me have a whole new appreciation of butterflies.
btw, Chomp is a great name..lol.
Thanks! We just planted the milkweed today and Munch (our second cat) disappeared. I think s/he may be a crysalis now somewhere in my butterfly garden.
These are beautiful photos, thanks so much for sharing!
You are very welcome!
Awesome photos!! Makes me so anxious for my butterflies to start visiting my yard :)
Wow, it was so neat to get to see the whole process! I especially love the Monarch chrysalises, they are so beautiful. Thanks so much for sharing this.
You are so welcome!! Karen
These are just beautiful. I know what you mean about feeling like a child as the whole process unfolds. The photographing of the life cycle of the Monarch butterfly must have taken a heck of a lot of patience. Thanks for sharing these with us.
Chuck
No patience at all, just fascinated with the whole thing.
WOW I have never seen something like this!!! great pics! thanks for sharing them My kids will love looking at them!
That is great! Thanks!
Awesome series of photos Karen. Thanks for sharing the link to this thread. The sentiments expressed here are the same thing I'm feeling as my first Monarch has gone to his chrysallis mode. I didn't get to see it happen, over time, but now know exactly what I missed.
Thanks again Karen!
Janet
ooooooooooooooo How wonderful Karen! So he actually makes a bubble out of a layer of his skin. I pictured in my mind that he would enclose himself with some substance in his mouth covering his whole body. I have no idea where that thought came from unless some other insect does that. Great photos !
Wow! Those are great pictures! Virginia
Glad you enjoyed them and share my amazement!