Big Changes Coming

When it has eaten enough, the caterpillar attaches itself to a leaf. It hangs down in a J hook shape.

It is preparing to turn into a pupa.

Scientists call the part of the pupa that attaches to the leaf the cremaster. Click on the photo for a larger view to better see the cremaster.

In the enlarged photo, you can see the caterpillar is less white. In fact, the white bands are turning green!

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Science Journal Entry

Movie on the life cycle of the Monarch Butterfly.