About 24 hours before the emergence of
the adult butterfly, the chrysalis
becomes completely transparent, revealing
the new butterfly inside.
Breaking free of the chrysalis, a Monarch greets the world.
After struggling free of the chrysalis,
the Monarch immediately begins to inflate its wings
with a reservoir of fluid contained in
its swollen abdomen.
As the wings inflate, the body of the
butterfly attains its normal proportions.
When the wings are fully inflated, the
insect expels any excess fluid and rests.
In a few hours, with its wings dried and
hardened,
the Monarch will take wing on its first
flight.
