This time of year, the season’s final generation of monarch caterpillars is finishing its last instar. Soon they’ll form their chrysalises, emerge as butterflies, and begin the incredible journey south to Mexico for the winter.
Unlike summer monarchs, which live only about 2-6 weeks as adults, this special migratory generation can live 8-9 months, long enough to make the journey south, overwinter, and begin the return trip north.