4th instar monarch caterpillar
![4th instar monarch caterpillar](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/D71_7611%20Monarch%20caterpillar%204th%20instar.jpg?itok=yyhuo2gv)
Detailed Description
Monarch caterpillars proceed through 5 instars (i.e., larval stages) before forming a chrysalis, at which point they develop into adults. 4th instar caterpillars spend 1-3 days in this developmental stage, depending on temperature, voraciously consuming their host plant, milkweed (Asclepia spp.).
Sources/Usage
Public Domain.