Defense

When a Monarch caterpillar feels threatened, it curls up like this one shown on the right.

This caterpillar is nearly full grown. Its skin appears smooth. It is about the size of an adult person's little finger.

Caterpillars of this stage are the easiest to find. There are large sections chewed out of the milkweed plant's leaves and large blobs of frass are left on leaves.

Soon it will search for a sheltered place to pupate.

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