Monarch caterpillars Eating Milkweed Leaves cover photo - 295537601

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The monarch butterfly or simply monarch (Danaus plexippus) is a milkweed butterfly (subfamily Danainae) in the family Nymphalidae. Like all Lepidoptera, monarchs undergo complete metamorphosis their life cycle has four phases: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The larva (caterpillar) has five stages (instars), molting at the end of each instar. Instars last about 3 to 5 days, depending on factors such as temperature and food availability. As the caterpillar completes its growth, it is 4.5 cm (1.8 in) long (large specimens can reach 5 cm (2.0 in) and 7 to 8 mm (0.28 to 0.31 in) wide, and weighs about 1.5 g (0.053 oz), compared to the first instar, which is 2 to 6 mm (0.079 to 0.236 in) long and 0.5 to 1.5 mm (0.020 to 0.059 in) wide. Fifth-instar larvae greatly increase in size and weight. They then stop feeding and are often found far from milkweed plants as they seek a site for pupating.

monarch caterpillars eating milkweed leaf leaves butterfly simply danaus plexippus subfamily danainae family nymphalidae nymphalidae like lepidoptera monarchs undergo complete metamorphosis life cycle four phases egg larva pupa adult caterpillar five stages instars molting instar last days depending factors temperature food availability completes growth long large specimens reach wide weighs compared instar wide fifth instar larvae greatly increase size weight stop feeding found plants seek site pupating