What do monarch caterpillars eat?
In North America, monarch caterpillars feed on milkweeds and a few closely related plants. Adult butterflies seek nectar; a caterpillar food plant and an adult nectar plant serve different needs.
What happens inside the chrysalis?
The pupa is the stage between caterpillar and adult. The butterfly emerges from the pupal case and expands its wings before flying.
Do all monarchs live for the same length of time?
No. Summer adults and overwintering migrants have different lifespans. Development also depends on environmental conditions.
Try one observation
Without moving leaves or caterpillars, record which life stage you can actually see. Leave an unknown stage marked unknown.
Observe without handling or collecting. These clues are a starting point, not a confirmed identification.