How to Identify Monarch Butterfly Caterpillars?
The monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is one of nature’s most beautiful insects. Its wingspan can reach up to 2 inches. But how do you identify a monarch caterpillar? Well, there are several ways to tell apart the species.
One way to identify a monarch caterpillar is to look at the color patterns on the body. There are three main types of monarch caterpillars: orange, black, and yellow. Orange ones are found in the Midwest and West; black ones are found in the Northeast and Southeast; and yellow ones are found in the Southwest.
Another way to distinguish a monarch caterpillar is by looking at the shape of the head capsule. Monarchs have four pairs of antennae, whereas other butterflies have five. They also have six eyespots on each side of the thorax.
Finally, the monarch caterpillar has a unique set of legs. Their front pair of legs are shorter than the rear pair. In addition, they have a special structure on the underside of their abdomen called a caudal horn. This horn helps them climb trees and shrubs.
Once the caterpillar reaches adulthood, it will turn into a chrysalis. Chrysalids are very fragile. If touched, they can break open and release a small, hairy moth. Once inside, the adult monarch lays eggs. After hatching, the larvae feed on milkweed leaves.
Where Are They Typically Found?
The monarch butterfly, Danausplexippus, is native to North America. Its range includes Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Its habitats include empty lots, road sides, wetlands, gardens, pastures, and grasslands.
In other words, it shares some of the same habitat as the common milkweed plant.
Monarch butterflies are often seen flying over fields where milkweed grows. Monarchs feed on milkweed leaves, which provide them with protein.
iStock.com/Catherine Keifer
What Do They Eat?
Milkweed is a staple of monarch butterflies’ diets, to the point where they’re known as “milkweed butterflies.” But what do you think those little green things are eating?
The answer is simple — milkweed leaves. And while the plant does contain some chemicals that can harm other insects, the monarch butterfly caterpillar stores them inside its body and is able to use them when it grows into a butterfly.
Over about a month, the female can lay up to 500 eggs on a single milkweed leaf. Once the eggs hatch, the caterpillars eat their egg cases, then begin to feed on the leaves.
Butterflies don’t actually drink milk; they get their name because they are fond of nectar. Monarch larvae live off of the nectaries found on the underside of the leaves. As they grow larger, they continue to munch away on the leaves, eventually turning brownish yellow.
When they finally emerge from their chrysalises as adults, they don’t look like most other butterflies. Instead of having wings covered in colorful scales, they sport black and white stripes, and their bodies are covered in tiny hairs.
How to Raise Them?
Raising monarchs is easy. You just need to provide a suitable habitat and food. Butterflies are very sensitive to temperature fluctuations, so you must keep them warm during winter months. In addition, you should ensure that there is plenty of water. Make sure that the container does not dry out.
You can use a plastic bag, a terrarium, or even a small aquarium. If you want to raise them inside, make sure that the box has ventilation holes. This way, the butterflies won’t suffocate.
The best place to start raising monarchs is in April or May. At this time, you should already have some milkweed growing in your garden. Plant three plants per square meter. Once the plants grow up, cut off the bottom leaves.
Then, take the stems into your house and put them in a glass jar. Be careful not to damage the leaves. Cover the plant stems with soil. Keep the lid tightly closed and store it somewhere cool and dark.
In about 10 days, you should see tiny black dots on the leaves. These are the eggs. Carefully collect them and transfer them to another container. Do not touch the eggs with your fingers. Put them in a separate container.
After five days, the larvae hatch. Remove the old caterpillars and replace them with new ones. Repeat this process every 5-7 days. When the caterpillar reaches the third instar, feed it with milkweed leaves.
When the larva starts spinning cocoons, you should stop feeding it. Let it pupate naturally. After 3 weeks, the butterfly emerges from the chrysalis.
How Long Do They Incubate?
The monarch butterfly egg incubation period lasts around three to eight days. This includes the time needed to hatch the eggs and feed the larvae. Once hatched, the larvae begin feeding on milkweed leaves. After about a week, the caterpillars are fully grown and start eating the plant’s leaves. About a month later, the caterpillar turns into a chrysalis and eventually becomes a moth.
When Do the Breeding and Hatching Seasons Typically Take Place?
The breeding season for monarch butterflies usually takes place in the spring and early summer. This is the period where the females lay eggs on milkweed plants. Eggs hatch within four days after being laid. Larvae feed on milkweed leaves for about two weeks before turning into a chrysalis and eventually emerging as a butterfly. A single egg lays up to 500,000 eggs. When it hatches, it needs to find food quickly because it doesn’t eat much during its larval stage.
Breeding and hatching seasons vary depending on weather conditions. In general, monarchs breed earlier in warmer months and later in colder months. Monarch populations tend to increase in wintertime due to milder winters.
What Does a Monarch Caterpillar and Chrysalis Look Like?
Monarch caterpillars are easy to spot in gardens around the world because of their bright orange coloration. They start out just like most other caterpillars — small, round, and yellowish green. As they grow larger, however, their skin turns orange. This makes it easier for people to see them among leaves and flowers.
Once they reach full size, monarch caterpillars begin metamorphosis into a pupa stage. During this process, they turn brown and form a chrysalis. Once they complete this transformation, they emerge as a butterfly.
While there are many different types of butterflies, monarchs are one of the largest species. Monarchs are named for their migratory habits. They spend part of each summer feeding in Mexico and Central America. Then, in late fall, they travel northward to Canada and the United States. There, they overwinter as adults. In spring, they return south to breed and lay eggs.