The Monarch Butterfly
Monarch butterflies are insects that have orange and black wings. Their wingspan is 4 inches (10 centimeters). They have antennae to help them find food.
Monarch butterflies are insects that have orange and black wings. Their wingspan is 4 inches (10 centimeters). They have antennae to help them find food.
Monarch butterflies drink nectar from flowers. They have a long tongue called a proboscis. They use their proboscis to suck the nectar. Monarch larvae are called caterpillars and the only plant they eat is milkweed. Most predators have learned that the monarch butterfly makes a poisonous snack. The toxins from the monarch's milkweed diet have given the butterfly this defense. In either the caterpillar or butterfly stage the monarch needs no camouflage because it takes in toxins from the milkweed and is poisonous to predators. Many animals advertise their poisonous nature with bright colors... Just like the monarch!
Monarch butterflies go through metamorphosis. The monarch’s life cycle has four stages: an egg, a larvae or caterpillar, a chrysalis, and an adult butterfly. In one year, there will be four generations of butterflies, each one going through the four stages of the life cycle. The fourth generation is born in September/October and this generation of butterfly is special because they are the ones that migrate south to Mexico. They fly up to 1500 miles! This generation lives the longest.
Can you find a monarch butterfly going through any of the stages of its life cycle?
Look carefully around the milkweed plants!
Monarch butterflies go through metamorphosis. The monarch’s life cycle has four stages: an egg, a larvae or caterpillar, a chrysalis, and an adult butterfly. In one year, there will be four generations of butterflies, each one going through the four stages of the life cycle. The fourth generation is born in September/October and this generation of butterfly is special because they are the ones that migrate south to Mexico. They fly up to 1500 miles! This generation lives the longest.
Can you find a monarch butterfly going through any of the stages of its life cycle?
Look carefully around the milkweed plants!
Here is a puzzle to put together!
http://www.jigzone.com/puzzles/0411E2F970&m=DF191AF.6F3E55&z=6?v=146981
http://www.jigzone.com/puzzles/0411E2F970&m=DF191AF.6F3E55&z=6?v=146981
Watch How a Monarch butterfly goes through its life cycle!
https://wwwwww.youtube.com/watch?v=7AUeM8MbaIk.youtube.com/watch?v=7AUeM8MbaIk
https://wwwwww.youtube.com/watch?v=7AUeM8MbaIk.youtube.com/watch?v=7AUeM8MbaIk