Butterfly Metamorphosis - The Life Cycle(s) of a Monarch Butterfly
From: http://www.monarch-butterfly.com
Monarch butterflies go through four stages during one life cycle, and through four generations in one year.
The four stages of the monarch butterfly life cycle are:
1. The egg
2. The larvae (caterpillar)
3. The pupa (chrysalis)
4. The adult butterfly
The four generations are actually four different butterflies going through these four stages
during one year until it is time to start over again with stage one and generation one.
In February and March, the final generation of hibernating monarch butterflies comes out of hibernation to find a mate.
They then migrate north and east in order to find a place to lay their eggs.
Generation 1 / Stage 1
This starts stage one and generation one of the new year for the monarch butterfly.
In March and April the eggs are laid on milkweed plants.
Generation 1 / Stage 2
They hatch into baby caterpillars, also called the larvae.
It takes about four days for the eggs to hatch. Then the baby caterpillar doesn’t do much more than eat the milkweed in order to grow.
After about two weeks, the caterpillar will be fully-grown and find a place to attach itself so that it can start the process of metamorphosis.
Generation 1 / Stage 3
It will attach itself to a stem or a leaf using silk and transform into a chrysalis. Although, from the outside, the 10 days of the chrysalis phase seems to be a time when nothing is happening, it is really a time of rapid change. Within the chrysalis the old body parts of the caterpillar are undergoing a remarkable transformation, called metamorphosis, to become the beautiful parts that make up the butterfly that will emerge.
Generation 1 / Stage 4
The monarch butterfly will emerge from the pupa and fly away, feeding on flowers and just enjoying the short life it has left, which is only about two to six weeks. This first generation monarch butterfly will then die after laying eggs for generation number two.
Generation 2
The second generation of monarch butterflies is born in May and June,
Generation 3
and then the third generation will be born in July and August. These monarch butterflies will go through exactly the same four stage
life cycle as the first generation did, dying two to six weeks after it becomes a beautiful monarch butterfly.
Generation 4
The fourth generation of monarch butterflies is a little bit different than the first three generations.
The fourth generation is born in September and October and goes through exactly the same process as the
first, second and third generations except for one part. The fourth generation of monarch butterflies does
not die after two to six weeks. Instead, this generation of monarch butterflies migrates to warmer climates
like Mexico and California and will live for six to eight months until it is time to start the whole process over again.
It is amazing how the four generations of monarch butterflies works out so that the monarch
population can continue to live on throughout the years, but not become overpopulated.
The Meaning of Transformation for YOU:
Every human being by nature, regardless of race, religion, gender or age, is by nature a child of wrath, dead in their transgressions
and separated from their Creator. (Ephesians 2) All are under the bondage of sin, there is none righteous and none who do good,
not even one. (Romans 3) The mind is set on things below such as: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, greed, anger, wrath,
malice, slander, abusive speech and other things like these. (Colossians 3; Galatians 5) If one dies while in this natural and corrupt state, the consequences will be eternal separation from their Creator, encased in the tomb known as the Lake of Fire. (Revelation 20:11-15)
In Christ Jesus, there is HOPE! (1 Timothy 1:1)
"Now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ." (Ephesians 2:13)
"If any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." (2 Corinthians 5:17)
The mind must be transformed into a mind that thinks like Christ.
"If you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth...Do not lie to one another, since you laid
aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true
knowledge according to the image of the One who created him." (Colossians 3:1-10)
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