The diagram shows the different stages in the life cycle of the Monarch butterfly.
Overall, all four main stages in the butterfly’s life cycle last approximately 6-10 weeks, which take place in different natural environments.
The life cycle begins with eggs, which the Monarch butterfly lays on the leaves of the Milkweed plant. Over a period of four to seven days, the eggs hatch into caterpillars. Then, they continue growing on those plants during two to three weeks, feeding on their leaves. At this stage, the caterpillars can reach up to two centimetres in length, and after that they transform into chrysalises.
Over a period of eight to fifteen days, the chrysalises hang from the branch, eventually developing into adult butterflies. The fully developed Monarch butterflies can grow up to ten centimetres in length, living in nature for two to four weeks and feeding on flower nectar. Finally, the butterflies return to Milkweed plants to lay their eggs, and the life cycle will begin again.