Articles

Monarch Manoeuvre

By Dean and Lois Farrow

Many times we have watched the Monarch develop from egg to butterfly, yet we lways marvel at the amazing transformations that take place. Probably the most critical manoeuvere is when the Monarch sheds its caterpillar skin to reveal the chrysalis.

After the caterpillar has finished eating and growing, it fastens a silk pad, made with its mouth, underneath a suitable surface. Then it turns around, clamps its rearmost legs onto the silk, and hangs in a “J” shape for approximately 24 hours.

When the caterpillar straightens, its skin splits along its back and starts to shed. The chrysalis wriggles and writhes, forcing the skin up, towards the rearmost legs. The skin still encircles the emerging chrysalis, and looks like a concertina as it moves.

While hanging by just a part of the skin, the shrysalis pulls a small black stalk, the cremaster, down from within the skin, and reaches around the outside. It then presses the end of the cremaster onto the silk pad next to where the legs are attached. Velcro-like hooks on the top of the cremaster entangle with the silk.

The chrysalis wriggles violently and the skin eventually comes free and falls away. As the writhing continues, the chrysalis settles into its distinctive shape, awaiting its transformation into a beautiful butterfly.

It is inconceivable that this precarious process could have developed through mindless, trial-and-error evolution. One small slip while trying to perfect the method ould spell the end of the species.

The survival and continuation of the Monarch depends upon the success of this hazardous manoeuvre, yet it is performed successfully millions of times a year across many countries of the world. This is a testimony to an amzing God, as Designer and Creator.

Note: See also, Devine, D., Unexplainable insect metamorphosis, Creation 29(3):31-32, 2007.

Creation 30(2): 58, March-May 2008

(Note: Photos available at original source.)