Monarch Butterfly Life Cycle Video

The Monarch is perhaps the best known and most loved butterfly in North America. This large, orange and black butterfly can be seen across the country in backyards, parks and fields. Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) are known for their long-range 3,000 mile mass migration that brings millions of them to California and Mexico each winter.

The Monarch's life cycle consists of four stages: egg, caterpillar (larva), chrysalis (pupal) and adult.

This video showcases the transition of the Monarch through these stages. It runs for about 4 minutes, so sit back and enjoy ... and turn up your volume for some easy-listening music!

Like all YouTube videos, you can click to run it full screen, and mute the music if you like.