This is a wonderful teaching tool. Very well presented and so clear. May I use it in my class? The kids would be especially interested when they know that it came from you and not from some dry textbook!
I would like to know how you put this together.
Terry

For several years we have been bringing back monarch caterpillars from northern Minnesota, where the milkweed is plentiful! Each year I seem to catch a little more of the process and have learned to recognize some of the 'clues' that the caterpillar will form the chrysalis or the butterfly will emerge. For example, notice when the caterpillar is in his J. When his antenna begin to wilt that means he is getting ready and when he hangs down straight the process will begin. After the caterpillar attaches and makes the J, it's about 12-14 hours later before this happens. If you look very closely you can see the little white nob they make with their mouth and then attach their rear to. The amazing thing is that within a few short hours of making the chrysalis you can already see the wings formed! I had to wait many hours to see it all from start to finish! The chrysalis turns dark and then very clear right before the emergence, (about 10 days later) so you know it is eminent, but you really have to just sit and wait and wait to catch the moment because it happens quite quickly.

Excellent presentation ..extremely fascinating ..we have an over abundance of these guys this year here in Ont ..they think it is because there is lots of milkweed this year ..

I forgot to mention that some monarchs migrate 2000 miles.

test to self