Life cycle of monarch butterfly

The life of the monarch consists of four stages, from egg laying to maturity and lasting for one month.

Life cycle of monarch monarch

According to Ilfscience, this beautiful black and orange Monarch butterfly will soon be included in the list of threatened animals. The number of species in the eastern United States has declined by 90% in the last 20 years as a result of the loss of habitat and especially the disappearance of milk grass . King butterflies only lay eggs on this grass and then it will be food for larvae.

Experts at the University of Minnesota, USA, said a total of 4 generations of butterflies were born in a year . Eggs will hatch into larvae after 3/8 days depending on temperature. After two weeks of eating and molting, the larvae will weave a cocoon and attach it to the underside of leaves or stems. It will then hang itself there and molt the last time to form a pupa.

This period lasted for 10 days, the larvae inside the cocoon began to digest themselves, releasing enzymes to dissolve its tissues into fluid to feed moths. Only a few highly organized cell groups can survive this digestive process. These cells are called germ plates - and protein-rich fluids are used as materials for rapid cell division, helping to form wings, legs, eyes and all other parts.

Adult butterflies will break out of cocoons, when they are 3-8 days old, they start to look for mates. Mating time can be up to 16 hours. Children and males can mate many times in their lives, although adults only live for 2-6 weeks. When mating is complete, children immediately spawn and a new generation of butterflies is born.