Hocus Pocus, Abra Cadabra!

If you’ve located a patch of milkweed plants in your backyard or close to your home, perhaps you’ve been lucky enough to observe a white, yellow and black-striped caterpillar feeding or maybe even a shiny green chrysalis suspended from a leaf or stem. The chrysalis is the pupal stage in this insect’s magical transformation or metamorphosis.

About two weeks after it hatches from its egg and begins feeding, the caterpillar stage of the monarch butterfly reaches its full size and is ready to pupate. It secretes a thin silken thread from its hind end, attaching itself to the plant in an upside down position. Miraculously, the caterpillar’s body morphs into a glistening emerald green capsule that bears no resemblance whatsoever to its former self. It looks more like a hanging pendant.

For 10 days this living jewel hangs immobile from its silken stalk. Then, without any warning, the thin outer wall becomes transparent, allowing us a peek inside. Voila! In a matter of minutes, a beautiful orange-and-black butterfly takes shape before our eyes, dries its wings in the hot summer sun and lifts off into the sky.