Metamorphosis, Greek for transformation or change in shape, describes what takes place once a caterpillar forms a chrysalis. There are four stages to a complete metamorphosis in insects; the first being the egg, larva, pupa, and finally adult form. When a female monarch butterfly lays her eggs she chooses a healthy leaf to do so, as the leaf then becomes food for the delevoping larva. Monarchs, in particular, choose the milkweed plant on which to to lay their eggs, as the toxic sap from the plant translates into the caterpillars’ bodies, making them toxic as well. The toxicity keeps predators away as the caterpillars continue to eat until body size has increased one hundred fold. During this growth process the caterpillars also molt about four to five times to make room for more growth. After 9 to 14 days from hatching, a caterpillar will be about 2" long and fully-grown. The goal for a caterpillar at this stage is to be sufficiently nourished for the later formation of a chrysalis.
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