Ok, I finally have a break in the action to write this thread. In an effort to help feed the monarchs that will soon migrate through my backyard, I recently purchased this milkweed plant from Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GV3F71D 

Much to my surprise, it came with a stowaway, a monarch caterpillar (called an “instant”). Over the next 2 weeks, it would devour a few leaves, then be perfectly still for 24 hours, shed its skin, elongate and repeat.

I bought a butterfly cage to secure the plant and the now 5th instar caterpillar. She started eating like crazy, devouring a leaf every two hours- but the interesting thing about a milkweed plant - it’s a very fast grower and was keeping up!

More interesting data- the monarch will only lay eggs on the milkweed plant- it’s the only plant the caterpillar will eat. The butterfly only lays one egg per plant, since it can support the feeding of just one caterpillar. This system is so fragile!

One day, the caterpillar (now named “Athena”) left the plant and started wandering around the cage. I’d put a wooden trellis in to support a cocoon. She spent all day examining every inch. Caterpillars can’t see, they can only sense light and dark. They feel their way around.

At one point, she spent a lot of time in a spot on the roof of the cage. Then went back to the plant and ate two more leaves. Then back to the exact same spot on the roof and started spinning silk to attach herself to the netting. She then hung in a “J” for 24 hours.

I kept her house next to my work area and kept an eye on things. While I was away for about 10 minutes, she started transforming into a cocoon, starting at the bottom. She kept wriggling and the outer layer of skin was pushed higher and the cocoon was exposed.

Eventually the skin fell off, but the cocoon kept moving and compressing. Finally, everything was still. Something else really cool - there are gold “flecks” on the cocoon that sparkle in the sun. Scientists have different theories- oxygen portals, DNA producers, camouflage.

All of this happened in about 30 minutes! So glad I saw it. Now we wait 10-14 days for Athena to emerge! I’m trying to get the milkweed to bloom for a ready source of food. There are so many predators of caterpillars and cocoons, this is such a fragile cycle! Viva la Monarch!

It’s happening! The chrysalis is becoming transparent. Monarchs always hatch in the mid-morning (who knew) - so tomorrow is the big day. It’s 7 weeks from when the butterfly lays an egg on a milkweed plant to the birth of a new butterfly.

Almost time! The green skin is gone and replaced with a translucent shell. We can see her spots and colors now. The gold dots on the chrysalis are so lovely, I can’t adequately capture the sparkle!

In the “a watched pot never boils” category- stepped away for literally 3 minutes and came back to this!

Current situation - the wings are expanding and drying. She’ll hang like this for 90-120 minutes. I have a paper towel soaked in nectar at the bottom of the cage for later. Will keep her in the enclosure and release tomorrow, 1 hour before sunset. So far, so good

Not much happening with Athena-mostly still, sometimes spreading her wings and stretching. This is a female butterfly, based on the pattern & lack of spots on inner wings. She hasn’t found the nectar and orange slice yet - needs to eat by midday, so will help, if needed.

Athena is not eating, so I’ll need to release her soon. I’ve put her right on the nectar and orange, and in the flowers, with no luck. No matter how I turn the habitat, she’s facing outside and up to the sky. Butterflies need to “butterfly”! I think we can all relate.