SCIENCE with Ms Lun
Monarch butterfly photo gallery
Life of a Monarch caterpillar : day by day
This caterpillar was reared indoors. It was smaller than most caterpillars when it pupated and was in the pre-pupa stage for less time than caterpillars raised outside but you get the general idea...
Also, it is difficult to get an accurate measurement of the length - sometimes the caterpillar isn't fully stretched and I have not included the antennae.
Second moult on Day 6
Third moult on Day 9
Interesting monarch butterfly photos
Monarch caterpillars can pupate in some interesting places!
Monarch butterfly tagging
Why did we tag monarch butterflies?
Tagging in NZ started in the summer of 2006-7 by the Monarch Butterfly Trust (which has now become the Moth and Butterflies of NZ Trust) and finished in the summer of 2022.
Monarch butterflies that eclose in late summer and later are more likely to overwinter. By tagging butterflies from March 1, researchers can tag butterflies and enter the details in a database. Members of the public can become citizen scientists and report any sightings of tagged butterflies. If the butterflies reach the overwintering sites, the tag info will provide information about how old the butterfly is, where they were released and researchers can get an idea of whether the population in declining or not.
Do the tags affect the butterfly?
No. The tags weigh 0.006g. The average weight of a butterfly is about 0.5g.
While the stickers have a strong adhesive, it is non-toxic to the butterfly.
Tags are placed on the discal cell of the hindwing on the underside. You will notice there are three letters and three numbers.