Harakeke and Kowhai have been enjoying watching the caterpillars turn into chrysalis, thanks to Molly for bringing in the plants.

Written by Molly

First, a monarch lays some eggs on a swan plant. The eggs are tiny. Soon they will hatch.

Next, a tiny caterpillar has just nibbled its way out of its egg. It's so small it can sit on the head of a pin. It eats its egg and then it keeps on eating swan plant leaves. They are called swan plants because the seed pods look like swans.

Then, the caterpillar gets to big for its skin so it sheds it. It keeps on shedding its skin. The time in between its shedding is call an instar. It attaches to a twig with silk and turns into a chrysalis. 

Finally, the chrysalis turns darker until a monarch butterfly comes out. The monarch has to pump out its wings. The monarch will hibernate then lay some eggs. The life cycle of the butterfly starts all over again.

Visit this website to find out more about the life cycle of a butterfly and to watch a video from chrysalis to butterfly.