Pupae Flaws Equal Adult Deformities
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Study of Flaws or Deformities in Monarch Pupae
Monarch pupae flaws often reveal what flaws will be evident in the adult butterfly. Recognizing the parts of a Monarch chrysalis and noticing that these parts were sometimes damaged raised our curiosity. We selected flawed chrysalises, photographed each one separately, emerged each one separately, and compared the adult Monarch butterfly to the photograph of the flawed chrysalis. The photos on the left are the chrysalises of the adult Monarch butterflies on the right.
(Click on any photo for a larger image.)
Leg Deformities
#226 pupa
Leg missing
#226 adult
Leg totally missing
Adult butterfly fell when it emerged
#10 pupa
Tarus of right leg missing
#10 adult
Tarsus of right leg missing
The adult is unable to hold on with its leg
#11 pupa
Tip of tarus of right leg missing
#11 adult
Hooks on tarus (tarsal claws) of left leg missing
#A pupa
Tarus of left leg missing
#A adult
Tarus of left leg missing
Split Proboscis
#56 pupa
Split proboscis possible
#56 adult
Split proboscis
#475 pupa
Possible split proboscis
#475 adult
Split proboscis
#H pupa
Possible split proboscis
#H adult
Split proboscis
Adult Monarch butterflies emerged visually without flaw from these slightly to moderately damaged pupae.
We did not use a microscope to examine the emerged adults.
#125 pupa
No visible flaw in adult
#82 adult
No visible flaw in adult
Wing Flaws in Monarch Pupae
In most cases, we have found that a puncture at the farm is due to the cremaster of one pupa piercing the pupa of another.
The usual result is that the pupa dies.
#471 pupa
#471 adult
Cut in wing that matches the cut in the pupa
#519 pupa
#519 adult
Dent in pupa caused light spot on wing
Thorax Flaws in Monarch Pupae
#403 pupa
Dent in top of thorax
#403 adult
Dent in top of thorax
#17 pupa
Dent in top of thorax
#17 adult
Dent in top of thorax
#431 pupa
Dent in top of thorax
#431 adult
Dent in top of thorax
Other Flaws in Monarch Pupae
#405 pupa
Face damage
#405 adult
Head of Monarch did not pull loose from the pupal shell
#406 pupa
Antenna damage
#406 adult
Antenna and leg fused and deformed
#475 pupa
#475 adult
#458 pupa
#458 adult
#458 adult
Curved Monarch Pupae
#407 pupa
Curved pupa
#407 adult
Wings on concave side shorter
#407 adult
Body of Monarch curved
Antennae in Monarch Pupae
#473 pupa
Antennae flaw
#473 adult
Left Antenna shorter
Major Deformity in Monarch Pupae
#504 pupa
Major Deformity
#504 adult
Major Deformity
#504 adult
Major Deformity
All photographs on this site are copyright protected.
For permission to use any photo, please contact Edith Smith at Shady Oak Butterfly Farm.
Shady Oak Butterfly Farm Toll free 877-485-2458 12876 SW CR 231 Brooker, Fl 32622 Stephen & Edith Smith
Located 45 minutes from the Butterfly Rainforest Exhibit at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida
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