The Wonderful Ways of Insects and Spiders [ 241 



The Chrysalis Emerges from the Silken Halter: If you bring one 

 of these caterpillars indoors or manage to keep it under close 

 observation in some other way, you will in due course see one of 

 those wonders of nature that never seem commonplace no matter 

 how often you may observe them. One day you will see the cater- 

 pillar spin a button of silk against a solid support. (Out-of-doors, 

 the lower edge of a fence rail is a favorite place.) 



The caterpillar grasps this button firmly with its hind prop-leg. 

 Then it spins a strong loop of silk, fastening both ends to the 

 same support, and finally it thrusts its head inside the silken 

 halter. Thus supported, it starts to shed its last caterpillar skin, 

 and we see a soft pale-green pupa, or chrysalis, beginning to 

 emerge. 



Now comes a moment crucial for its survival: The chrysalis 

 releases its hold on the little silk button, relying completely on 

 the halter for support while it pushes off its shrunken skin and 

 inserts its hooks into the button. Sometimes the chrysalis falls to 

 the ground during this delicate maneuvering with fatal results. 

 The possibility of sudden death adds a poignant touch to the 

 mystery of metamorphosis. 



The Butterfly Lives on Nectar: The successful chrysalis gradually 

 hardens and alters its colors, usually turning grayish, dark green, 

 or tan. Within its shell the elements that made up the caterpillar 

 are taking on the shape of a butterfly. Then one day, after some 

 weeks of waiting, you will see the upper end break open and a 

 crumpled mass of damp "velvet" come forth. This clings to a 

 support while its wings unfold, dry, and harden. In about half an 

 hour the newcomer is ready for flight. As an adult, it lives entirely 

 on nectar (how fitting!) and acts as an efficient messenger carry- 

 ing pollen from one blossom to another. 



The Migrating Monarch Butterfly: A common species that chil- 

 dren can easily learn to recognize is the monarch or milkweed 

 butterfly. With its brilliant copper-red color and vivid black 

 markings it is quite conspicuous. You can distinguish a similarly 

 colored though somewhat smaller species, known as the viceroy, 

 by a black band across the middle of the hind wing. 



