Preparing for Pupation

• 19 Mar, 2008
• 1 like

In the 5th and final instar, the Monarch caterpillar has to molt one last time, but this molt is different so he must prepare. He first finds the perfect location and then starts to build his silk platform and silk button. The silk comes out of a 'spinnerette' located just under his mouth. In the pic you can see the caterpiller on the right building his silk button and the caterpillar on the left already has his finished.