Monarch Caterpillar Wiggling
After wiggling out of its old skin, the caterpillar then rubs off its FACE MASK. Even the face mask has become too small.
Monarch Larvae Attaching to its Silk Pad
Caught on camera! A Monarch larvae turning to attach itself securely to its silk button. Be sure not to disturb the monarchs when they are preparing to molt to the pupal, or chrysalis, stage. Just before they pupate, monarch larvae will spin a small silk button, or pad. The larvae will then hang upside down from this pad by their last pair of prolegs, assuming the J-shaped position of the prepupa. The silk comes from the spinneret on the bottom of the head. As it sheds its skin for the [...]