5th Instar
Egg
|
1st Instar
|
2nd Instar
|
3rd Instar
|
4th Instar
|
5th Instar
Specifications
Body and head (x2.5)
|
Body Length:
|
25 to 45 mm
|
|
Body Width:
|
5 to 8 mm
|
|
Front Tentacles:
|
11 mm
|
|
Back Tentacles:
|
4 mm
|
|
Head Capsule:
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3.5 mm in diameter
|
Appearance
The body pattern and colors of fifth instar larvae are even more vivid than they
were in the fourth instar, and the black bands looks wider and almost velvety. The
front legs look much smaller than the other two pairs, and are even closer to the
head. There are distinct white dots on the prolegs, and the body looks quite plump,
especially just prior to pupating.
Fifth instar monarch larvae often chew a shallow notch in the petiole of the leaf
they are eating, which causes the leaf to fall into a vertical position. They move
much farther and faster than other instars, and are often found far from milkweed
plants as they seek a site for pupating.
Color Pictures
