08/10/2006 @ 9:ooAM:Ok folks, the time is drawing near...
The chrysalis has been slowly getting darker over the last couple of days. This morning it was clear and you could see the Monarch butterfly inside - see attached picture. At this point it's a waiting game.
With no visible signs to signal the emergence of the butterfly from its chrysalis, the chrysalis will suddenly crack open and out will come the monarch butterfly. Its wings will be tiny, crumpled, and wet. The butterfly will cling to its empty chrysalis shell as hemolymph, the blood-like substance of insects, is pumped through its body. As the hemolymph fills the monarch's body and wings, they enlarge. At this point the monarch is extremely vulnerable to predators because it is not yet able to fly.
About one hour after emerging from its chrysalis, the monarch's wings are full-sized, dry, and ready for flying. Here a newly emerged monarch uses it straw-like tongue, called a proboscis, to sip nectar from Hardy Ageratum (Eupatorium coelestinum). Four to six days after emerging from its chrysalis, a monarch butterfly is old enough to mate.....and so begins the life cycle of of the next generation.
*** UPDATE 08/10/2006 @ 1:30PM - This just in...I just received a call from my 4 year old daughter Emilie and man-o-man is she excited!! She call me yelling and screaming that the chrysalis has hatched!!! They were out doing errands and when they returned home found a beautiful Monarch butterfly hanging from the empty chrysalis.
*** Alyssa, We're sorry we couldn't delay this lady's hatch - it was time. We'll send you some pictures.
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