Metamorphosis – Real Magic in the Garden

There is nothing more magical than a monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) caterpillar turning into a chrysalis and then emerging as a brilliant butterfly. The caterpillars feed exclusively on various species of milkweeds (Asclepias ssp.), with favorites in the mid-Atlantic states being butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) and swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata).

The voracious appetites of the caterpillars enable them to multiply in size over about 2 weeks, growing to almost 2 inches long.  When multiple caterpillars feed on a single milkweed plant, they can devour all the leaves and seedpods, leaving nothing but the stems.

The caterpillar relocates to a different plant, wall, or structure to transition to the pupa stage forming a chrysalis.  In our garden, the plant of choice for the caterpillars to create a chrysalis is the Stella de Oro lily (Hemerocallis ‘Stella de Oro’).  After another 2 weeks the chrysalis begins to turn dark, the butterfly wing pattern becomes visible through the shell of the chrysalis (exoskeleton), and then the butterfly emerges.  After emerging the butterfly rests, dries its wings and within a day it flies off.