A Mesmerizing Timelapse Showing a Monarch Butterfly Emerging From a Chrysalis

Neil Bromhall (previously) of the Oxford, England plant identification database Right Plants has created a mesmerizing timelapse that shows the remarkable process of a monarch butterfly emerging from a chrysalis and spread wings for the very first time. Bromhall stated that this event occurred under controlled circumstances.

This sequence was filmed in my studio where I can control the lighting, temperature, and humidity. Monarch butterfly, Danaus plexippus, emerging time lapse. … A signal that the butterfly is about to emerge is when the pupa case clears to reveal the butterfly within. The butterfly soon emerges and usually hanging on to the pupa skin. The newly emerged butterfly pumps its wings to make them expand.

via Nag on the Lake

Lori Dorn
Lori Dorn

Lori is a Laughing Squid Contributing Editor based in New York City who has been writing blog posts for over a decade. She also enjoys making jewelry, playing guitar, taking photos and mixing craft cocktails.