The above diagram demonstrates the cyclic life cycle of a Monarch butterfly.
Overall, the process includes 4 distinct stages which begins with eggs being laid on a milkweed leaves and ends with a new adult butterfly.
At the beginning, adult butterfly lay eggs on milkweed leaves which is commonly known as Egg stage. After about 2 weeks, the eggs hatch into larva also known as caterpillar. Then they feed on the leaves to fully mature. The larval stage generally ends with attachment of larva on the plant.
Following this, within next 10 days the larva undergoes various changes forming chrysalis. This phase is commonly known as Pupal stage. Subsequently, emergence of adult butterfly takes place. Next, they migrate toward the south that takes around half a year, marking the end of Pupal stage. Then, during adult stage they again migrate towards north, where they find suitable partner and mate. After that, they lay eggs on milkweed for the next generation.
