The dorsal view of the larva of the Tawny Emperor (Asterocampa clyton), a brush-footed butterfly.

Emperor Butterfly Larva

The dorsal view of the larva of the Tawny Emperor (Asterocampa clyton), a brush-footed butterfly.

A butterfly is an insect of the order Lepidoptera. Like all Lepidoptera, butterflies are notable for their unusual life cycle with a larval caterpillar stage, an inactive pupal stage, and a spectacular metamorphosis into a familiar and colourful winged adult form. A monarch butterfly is is a milkweed butterfly, perhaps the best known of all North American butterflies. The body of the crawling worm-like larva is greenish yellow in color, with broad bands of shining black.

Metamorphosis of a Monarch Butterfly

A butterfly is an insect of the order Lepidoptera. Like all Lepidoptera, butterflies are notable for…