Making a Chrysalis

After eating for two weeks, a Monarch caterpillar is big enough to make a chrysalis.

These caterpillars have picked where they will make their chrysalis. After forming a silk pad with their mouths they will stick themselves to it. Then slowly they will release each pair of legs until they look like the letter ‘J’.

They all made their chrysalises the next day.

These caterpillars stayed in a ‘J’ all night before they split their skin. It was amazing watching the green skin start to appear as the caterpillar’s old skin got pushed to the top. Watching the forming of a chrysalis reminds me of what an awesome God we have! My dad made a video of Monarch caterpillar making a chrysalis. It is posted in my video section.

This is what a Monarch chrysalis looks like before it is dry.

Now that it is dry, you can see the gold line and dots on the chrysalis.

My Monarch caterpillars have made their chrysalis in the strangest places. I found them on our roof, gutters, pots, curtains, in dirt, on sticks, leaves, and even attached to my plastic greenhouse! I wonder where I will find them next!

Technorati Tags: Monarch making a chrysalis