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Insects and other arthropods

From egg to butterfly

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Life cycle
Life cycle

Like all butterflies, monarchs undergo complete (holometabolic) metamorphosis over the course of their lives. This means that they develop in 4 distinct stages, each of which has a specific function:

  • Egg: Where the insect’s life gets started
  • Caterpillar (or larva): Where it stores up energy
  • Chrysalis (or pupa): Extreme makeover
  • Adult (or imago): Reproduction at any cost