Monarch Caterpillar In "J-Position" and Turning Green
Day 7 (Pupation in Progress). The caterpillar has been hanging in this position for nearly 24 hours and is in the process of shedding it's skin for the final time. It will pump and wriggle until the skin is pushed to the rear end, which where the cremaster is attached to the milkweed leaf by strong silk threads. Once it is free of the skin it will form a soft, wet, green pupa, also called a cocoon. This will harden in a few hours and darken in color from a deep green to black. The process for it to emerge will take about two weeks.
Monarch Caterpillar In "J-Position" and Turning Green
Day 7 (Pupation in Progress). The caterpillar has been hanging in this position for nearly 24 hours and is in the process of shedding it's skin for the final time. It will pump and wriggle until the skin is pushed to the rear end, which where the cremaster is attached to the milkweed leaf by strong silk threads. Once it is free of the skin it will form a soft, wet, green pupa, also called a cocoon. This will harden in a few hours and darken in color from a deep green to black. The process for it to emerge will take about two weeks.