The Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is generally seen as a “green” chrysalis. The outside of the chrysalis highlighted with glistening gold dots has the appearance of jade. Queen butterflies have displayed a chrysalis in shades of green, white and pink. Edith Smith at Shady Oak Butterfly Farm and Dr. Chip Taylor at Monarch Watch have both successfully raised chrysalises in varieties of color – without the “green gene.” They have named this OPY for “Orange Pink Yellow“ and this is currently being studied by Monarch Watch. PHOTO: Permission was granted by Photographer Edith [...]

Watch as the spiracles open and close...The 9 pairs of spiracles in a butterfly’s body are pores open to the air - see them opening and closing in the video. They are connected to a network of long air tubes called tracheae, which carry oxygen throughout the body. VIDEO: Lynn Rosenblatt

VIDEO: Christina McKinney Children and adults watch with wonder and excitement as the caterpillar makes its final shed and becomes a beautiful Chrysalis! The VIDEO demonstrates this crucial moment in the life of the monarch butterfly!

An AMAZING transformation seen by X-ray! VIDEO: Discover Magazine What happens to a caterpillar inside its chrysalis? VIDEO: Discover Magazine

Click any image to view its full size. HOLLI WEBB HEARN is the administrator and creator of the highly-acclaimed Facebook Group, The Beautiful Monarch. The active group offers information on care, breeding, raise and release, and feeding monarchs. Experience beautiful photos, receive updates on migration, tagging information, health issues, and the Monarch’s “fight for survival.” PHOTOS: All photos in the “Up Close” Section by Holli Webb Hearn

After the butterfly emerges from the chrysalis – the PROBOSCIS is in two parts. The monarch actually zips the two parts together to form a central channel – or food tube – to sip the nectar from flowers. This food tube acts like a straw ~ curling up when not in use…and uncurling into a long tubular protrusion to sip and bring nutrients into the body and digestive system. Its munching caterpillar days are over!

The monarch’s scientific name is Danaus plexippus. Butterflies and moths belong to a category of insects called Lepidoptera, which means “scale wing.” It comes from the Greek word s lepidos (scale) and pteron (wing). Monarch wings are made of thousands of tiny overlapping scales, like fish scales or shingles on a roof. These powdery scales give butterflies their beautiful color and patterns. Microscopic Scales on a Monarch Butterfly’s Wing on “Dude with a Microscope Episode 2!