[Two Monarch chrysalises hang from a black wire mesh. One is green. The butterfly can be seen inside the other one.]All of our Monarch caterpillars have pupated! They have shed their skin for the last time and we have twelve chrysalises hanging from the top of the cage.

Why does the chrysalis darken over over time? In the last 24 before it emerges, black and orange of the butterfly can actually be seen inside the chrysalis. If you see a chrysalis like this, a butterfly will probably emerge soon!

Next week will most likely be a big week for butterflies at the library.

 

 

(Headline Image credit: “Monarch chrysalis on common milkweed (day 4)” by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region is marked with Public Domain Mark 1.0.)