Recently, I happened upon an interesting site at the house. I noticed a Monarch Butterfly chrysalis. I do not often see such an interesting, so I took a few photos and vowed to observe the chrysalis daily. I, jokingly, stated I was to be a father.
The Monarch Butterfly Chrysalis.
I would soon see the indistinct black lines of the future wings inside of this cocoon. A few days later, upon observing I noticed the adult Monarch Butterfly on a leaf drying in preparation for flight. Another day and the butterfly had moved on in flight.
The life cycle of this gorgeous butterfly is one on unbelief. The female lays eggs on a bottom of a leaf, often Milkweed for that is their food source. The number of eggs is between one hundred and three hundred eggs. They will hatch in about four days eating their egg cases.
This larva stage will grow over ten to fourteen days shedding their shells five times. Each of the five molts known as an instar. This caterpillar is ribbed with yellow, white and black stripes.
Once the growth cycle reaches peak the caterpillar will go into a pupa stage. The caterpillar is now in the chrysalis stage. (See photo.) Here the caterpillar will form into the adult butterfly. As stated, I would soon notice the black veins of the wings during this cycle.
The males have a dark spot on each hind wing on one of the darkened veins. The females lack these spots. The late forming Monarchs will migrate to Mexico and California depending on where their early life began. This butterfly would be heading for Mexico. The following February or March they will migrate back ready to rep.
Male Monarch Butterfly. Note the dark spots.
Larry A. Smail's Blog 
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