Monarch Butterfly Project, Part 2: From chrysalis to butterfly

You can’t miss with children if you have a live butterfly they can touch. This is what happens when you follow through with a butterfly project unto completion.

In my previous post I wrote about catching a Monarch caterpillar and bringing it indoors on a potted milkweed plant. The caterpillar ate and ate until it was time to change into a chrysalis. This morning the chrysalis split open and this beautiful Monarch butterfly emerged.

I first noticed that the chrysalis was beginning to change color. That is because the skin is transparent and the wings and body of the butterfly were developing their beautiful colors.

I knew it was nearing time for the butterfly to emerge from the chrysalis, so I made my plans to sit up and watch so I could take pictures. It took much longer than I expected. I later learned that it takes about twelve hours from the time the chrysalis darkens until it hatches. Had I known that I would have gotten a better night’s sleep last night.

I missed seeing the butterfly emerge as I was asleep, but I woke up before the wings had time to stretch out. I took lots of pictures. I wish I had children or grandchildren at home to enjoy watching the butterfly emerge and stretch out its wings. The young children from across the street came to see the butterfly when it was almost ready to fly. Then we put the butterfly on another milkweed plant outdoors where it stayed for a while before flying away.

Here are some of the pictures I took:

The butterfly fluttered out of my hand and landed on Gracelyn’s skirt.

Children are delighted to get a close-up look at the Monarch butterfly. It has tried to fly but isn’t yet strong. Handle it very gently or not at all.