Butterfly Metamorphosis Photos

This first series of photos shows a monarch caterpillar forming its chrysalis. The actual process of forming the chrysalis takes several hours from the time the caterpillar begins to hang in the J formation. It will remain in this chrysalis for roughly two weeks, the exact length of time depending on the air temperature.

This second set of photos shows a monarch emerging from its chrysalis. During this time, the butterfly is very vulnerable. Notice how tiny its wings are when it first emerges. The plump abdomen is full of fluid which is pumped into the veins of the tiny wings. The butterfly must hang vertically and allow its wings to expand fully before it is able to fly.