The Munching Caterpillar
MONARCH LIFE CYCLE
MUNCH-A-BUNCH OF MILKWEED
…crunch…munch…yum-yum-milkweed…
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MY SKIN’S TOO TIGHT!
The caterpillar’s “skin” or cuticle is like a shell – it does not grow. As the caterpillar body grows bigger and bigger, it outgrows its skin and needs to SHED it. The caterpillar squeeeeezes, pushes and tugs as it wiggles out of its tight old skin.
Monarch Caterpillar MUNCHING UP its skin after shedding! Now that’s a hungry caterpillar!
CREDIT: Lynn Rosenblatt
Monarch Caterpillar MOLTING…shedding its skin!!
CREDIT: Lynn Rosenblatt
THE SILK BUTTON
VIDEO: Allison Glovak
PHOTOS: (left to right) first three photos – Siah St. Clair, All of Nature blog, Carol Duke Flowers
After the fifth and final skin shed, the monarch goes into its next stage of life.
Through an amazing metamorphosis – a total body CHANGE – the caterpillar transforms into a beautiful green chrysalis.
