Butterflies go through life cycles containing forms and
stages of
metamorphosis.
The stages, in order, are:
1. Larva
2. Pupa
3. Cocoon or chrysalis
4. Adult
Cocoon/Chrysalis Stage:
Monarch butterflies are one of the most famous butterflies around. Everyone
knows them for their brilliant orange and black colors and their beautiful
chrysalis. A chrysalis is just the specialized cocoon of some butterflies. While
some butterflies use white, stringy, cottony cocoons, some use hardened shells,
which are called the chrysalis.
The monarch butterfly pupa creates the chrysalis shell around it. It normally
takes the monarch pupa 5-10 days to finish the metamorphosis into an adult butterfly.
During the metamorphosis, the chrysalis first appears to be a green color (which
is/was the same color as the pupa), but as the change progresses, the shell
turns black, and then clear. When the chrysalis is clear, you can see the colors
and patterns of the new adult butterfly's wings.
Pictures of the Chrysalis:
http://www.ivyhall.district96.k12.il.us/4th/kkhp/1insects/bugpix/Monchrgr.jpg
http://www.emmajesty.com/htmldocs/pagehtmls/monarch/pupa.jpg
http://www.emmajesty.com/htmldocs/pagehtmls/monarch/darkpupa.jpg
http://www.emmajesty.com/htmldocs/pagehtmls/monarch/sidereadypup.jpg
http://www.emmajesty.com/htmldocs/pagehtmls/monarch/backpupaready.jpg
More Info:
http://www.zoomwhales.com/subjects/butterfly/species/Monarch.shtml