The diagram shows the different stages in the life cycle of a Monarch butterfly. Overall, the cycle takes almost ten weeks and comprises three main stages, each of which takes place in a different habitat.
The Monarch butterfly begins life as an egg, on the leaves of Milkweed plants. Over a period of four to seven days, the eggs hatch into a small green caterpillar, which can grow up to two centimeters in length. The caterpillar then starts feeding leaves of Milkweed plants as a source of food for about two to three weeks until it becomes bigger in sizes. After that, the caterpillar climbs on a tree branch and wraps itself in the leaves to form a chrysalis.
The chrysalis attaches to the branch for about fortnight, after which the caterpillar transforms into a seven-to-ten centimeters adult butterfly. The adults butterfly will lives for between two and four weeks eating nectar and will return to Milkweed plant leaves to lay its eggs, and cycle will begin again.