PHOTOS OF MONARCH BUTTERFLIES EMERGING
This page shows detailed photos of two Monarch butterflies (both females) emerging from their chrysalis. Additional information on the Monarch butterfly emerging from its chrysalis can be found here.
(More general information on the Monarch butterfly can be found here.)
The first series of 14 photos shows a female Monarch butterfly emerging. There are 3 minutes between the first and the last photos.
Monarch just cracked its chrysalis envelope |
One leg visible |
Legs coming out |
Legs unfolding |
Starting to slip out of chrysalis |
Monarch body is out now |
Large abdomen, tiny wings |
Clinging to empty chrysalis envelope |
Just emerged Monarch side view |
This Monarch is a female |
Monarch female drying its wings |
Abdomen pumps hemolymph into wings |
Wings have two orange tones |
Wings getting larger |
Chrysalis envelope cracks open |
Head comes first |
Legs soon to come out |
First leg visible |
Female Monarch emerging |
Addomen starts detaching from chrysalis envelope |
Abdomen detaches from chrysalis |
Abdomen starts slipping down |
Abdomen weight pushes down |
Abdomen getting looser |
Abdomen will soon come down |
Abdomen just came out |
Holding tight to inside of chrysalis envelope |
Antennae and proboscis out, wings start unfolding |
Clinging to outside of chrysalis |
Abdominal dent : it's a female |
Getting better grip to chrysalis |
Abdomen pumps hemolymph into wings |
Wings start to enlarge |
Emerging Monarch back view |
Proboscis unfurling |
Wings length level with abdominal tip |
Proboscis two branches visible |
Increasing wing size |
Abdomen keeps pumping hemolymph into wings |
Waiting for wings to enlarge |
Abdominal view |
The waiting game |
Feet claws hold steady on slippery chrysalis envelope |
Healthy-looking female Monarch |
There are less females than males |
Testing the proboscis |