Every weekend we present a notable item from our archives.

This EPOD was originally published September 8, 2013.

Photographer: Bill Schultz MD
Summary Authors: Bill Schultz MD; Jim Foster

The photo above shows a nearly fully formed Monarch butterfly as seen through the wall of its chrysalis shortly before emerging. It was taken from Stonecreek, Ohio on September 22, 2012. The chrysalis is the pupa stage of a butterfly's lifecycle. A Monarch chrysalis is usually attached to a milkweed plant (Asclepias syriaca) -- Monarchs and milkweeds are intimately linked. Soon after this Monarch emerged, it began its extraordinary 2,260 mi (3,640 km) migration to the highlands of central Mexico. It's the great-great descendant of the Monarch that left for Mexico the previous fall.

Photo details: Camera Model: NIKON D300; Focal Length: 105.0mm (35mm equivalent: 157mm); Aperture: f/9.0; Exposure Time: 0.0031 s (1/320); ISO equiv: 800.  

• Stonecreek Ohio, Coordinates: 40.3975, -81.5589
• Related Links
  • Monarchs in Hibernation
  • More About Monarchs
  • Monarch Butterflies Migration Tracked Through Generations Across North America
• Student Links
  • The Annual Cycle of the Monarch Butterfly
  • Scientific Illustration: Draw a Monarch Butterfly
• Earth Observatory
  • Monarch Butterflies Mexican Home

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