Monarch J - larva explained/how to determine sex of a chrysalis/and the story of the transformation!

In this video I review the life cycle of the Monarch butterfly and focus on the behavior and transformation of the 5th instar larva after it has finisihed eating. I show the formation of the silken pad or button and how the caterpillar hangs as a J for around 24 hours before shedding its skin to become the chrysalis. I show how the chrysalis transforms and discuss what happens inside the chrysalis. I describe how the interior of the chrysalis essentially liquidifies accept for imaginal cells and imaginal discs. I explain how these cells undergo differentiation to become various parts of the monarch biology adult. I explain how to identify a chrysalis as a female chrysalis or a male chrysalis be examining external structure.