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Students use computers to create their own digital butterfly journal. They will document the four stages of a butterfly's lifecycle using a simple word processor or presentation software. They should include descriptions of each stage (egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, and butterfly) and can add images from approved educational websites.

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Using simple animation software or presentation slides, students create a short animation showing how a butterfly transforms through its different life stages. They can use 4-6 slides and add simple transitions to show the transformation process.

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Students use educational websites to explore virtual butterfly gardens. They observe different species and their lifecycle stages, taking notes on similarities and differences. Recommended websites: National Geographic Kids, BBC Nature, or Butterfly Conservation.

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We all love butterflies for their beautiful, brightly-coloured wings. But did you know that these fab flyers begin life as something completely different? As they grow, they undergo one seriously terrific transformation - a process known as " metamorphosis ".

Join Nat Geo Kids as we follow the life-cycle of this quirky creature, from the egg to the air!

It all starts when a female butterfly lays her eggs, usually on leaves or stems of plants. Inside these tiny eggs, caterpillars grow. Depending on the species, the eggs can vary in shape and texture - they can be round, oval or cylindrical, and smooth, bumpy or wrinkled. The time it takes for the eggs to hatch can also vary - in some species, they will hatch within a few weeks and in others they will only hatch once the weather is warm enough.

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Stage 2: the caterpillar

Once ready, the caterpillar leaves its egg home and enters the big outside world! And these little critters have one serious appetite - they actually eat their way out of the egg and immediately start chomping on the leaves of the host plant. During this stage, they shed their skin four or five times - as the caterpillar grows, its skin becomes too tight and splits open, revealing a new, larger skin underneath. A fully grown caterpillar can be over 100 times larger than when it emerged from its egg. Wow!

Once fully grown, the caterpillar forms itself into a "pupa" (or chrysalis) - a kind of vessel in which the caterpillar changes into a butterfly. They usually do this on twigs or safe, hidden areas around the host plant. The "pupa" stage may last a few weeks to several months depending on the species. During this time, a hardened case forms around the pupa to protect it from predators and extreme weather conditions. And inside, the tissue, limbs and organs of the caterpillar transform. The result? A wonderful winged butterfly!

Once the butterfly is ready to emerge, the case around the pupa splits open. But it's not time for take off just yet, as the wings are at first wet, soft and wrinkled against its body. The butterfly waits for its wings to dry, and pumps a liquid called hemolymph into them so that they become big and strong. Once fit for flight, this brilliant bug then takes to the air in search for flowers to feed on and for other butterflies to mate with.

And that's the cycle complete - and ready to start all over again!

DID YOU KNOW?
Moths also go through this process of metamorphosis. Check out the four stages of the Atlas moth, below - the largest moth in the world!

Images: Atlas moth: Butterfly World. All other images: Getty Images UK. Monarch butterfly on flower: James Laurie, Shutterstock.

Cool, huh? Did you enjoy learning about the butterfly life cycle? Let us know by leaving a comment, below!

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We all love butterflies for their beautiful, brightly-coloured wings. But did you know that these fab flyers begin life as something completely different? As they grow, they undergo one seriously terrific transformation - a process known as " metamorphosis ". Join Nat Geo Kids as we follow the life-cycle of this quirky creature, from the egg to the air!

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Using a digital timeline tool or word processor, students create an illustrated timeline of a butterfly's life. They should include the duration of each stage and interesting facts about what happens during each phase.

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Students work in pairs to create a simple spreadsheet database of butterfly facts. They research and record information such as how long each lifecycle stage lasts, what the butterfly eats at each stage, and how it changes and grows.

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Students write and illustrate a digital story from the perspective of a butterfly going through its lifecycle. They can use word processing software to write their story and add appropriate images or their own digital drawings.

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Using simple quiz creation tools online, students work in groups to create quiz questions about butterfly metamorphosis. Classes can then swap and solve each other's quizzes, making learning interactive and fun.

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Students use the internet to research and compare the lifecycle of a butterfly with another insect's lifecycle. They create a digital Venn diagram to show similarities and differences.

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In small groups, students create a short educational video about butterfly metamorphosis. They can use simple video editing tools to combine images, text, and narration explaining each stage of the lifecycle.

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Using digital mind mapping tools or drawing software, students create an interactive map of the butterfly's lifecycle. They include clickable areas or links to detailed information about each stage.

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Students use online butterfly migration tracking websites to learn about butterfly movement patterns. They can create digital maps showing migration routes and connect this to different lifecycle stages.

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Seasonal Message: Fall Migration Begins in August

Researchers, land managers, and many others rely on the help of Journey North volunteers to better understand the monarch's conservation needs. Your observations make a valuable contribution - and help tell the dramatic story of the monarch migration.

What To Report

1. Reporting category: Monarch Adult Sighted

Where are monarchs? Report all monarch adults (ie. butterflies, not eggs or larvae) regardless of whether migrating south. Report number of monarchs observed at a single location. Comments: Were the monarchs exhibiting directional flight? How did you estimate the number of monarchs observed? Other behaviors observed? Frequency: Report once a week when monarchs are present. Photos: Always welcome.

2. Reporting category: Monarch Egg Sighted

Is breeding happening? Report the presence of monarch egg(s). Because it is difficult to track individual eggs and larvae, daily counts of eggs and larvae are not necessary. Noting presence of monarch egg(s) is sufficient. If you want to count monarch egg(s), please count once during the week and submit one report with the totals counted that day. Comments: What milkweed species did you see the monarch egg(s)? Frequency: Report once a week when monarch eggs are present. Photos: Always welcome.

3. Reporting category: Monarch Larva Sighted

Is breeding happening? Report the presence of monarch larvae. Because it is difficult to track individual eggs and larvae, daily counts of egg(s) and larvae are not necessary. Noting presence of monarch larvae is sufficient. If you want to count monarch larvae, please count once during the week and submit one report with the totals counted that day. Comments: What milkweed species did you see the monarch larvae? Frequency: Report once a week when monarch larvae are present. Photos: Always welcome.

4. Reporting category: Monarch Other Observations

Where are monarchs? Observations of other interesting behaviors including mating, laying eggs, nectaring (please let us know plant species observed if known), basking in the sun, and deceased monarchs. Frequency: Report once a week. Occasional reporting welcome. Photos: Always welcome.

5. Reporting category: Milkweed Sighted

Where is milkweed? Report milkweed presence across the landscape. Comments: What milkweed species did you observe? Frequency: Report weekly when milkweed is present. Photos: Always welcome.

6. Reporting category: Monarch Peak Migration

When and where are peak migration events happening? Monarch fall migration is spectacular and also unpredictable. People often report seeing large numbers of monarchs flying in a clear directional flight or seeing "hundreds of butterflies" nectaring in a field of flowers fueling up for the long flight. If you witness what seems to be a large number of monarchs for your area (i.e. dozens, hundreds), please report this sighting under PEAK Migration. Comments: For reported numbers to be meaningful, what is the length of time you spent counting monarchs at one stationary location? Frequency: Report daily when possible to capture actual peak. Photos: Always welcome.

7. Reporting category: Monarch Roosts

When and where are monarch roosts? Migrating monarchs cluster together in trees at night, forming what is called a roost. A roost may have a handful of butterflies or more than you can count. Comments: How many monarchs did you observe within a roost for a single night? When did you observe roost formation? How did you estimate the number of monarchs roosting? What other observations did you notice (such as nearby nectar sources, species of tree(s) in roost, and whether the monarchs are shielded from the wind in their location)? Frequency: Report every night when roost is present. Resource: Estimating Fall Roost Size.

Subscription Information: Migration News

Stay attuned to the migration story by subscribing to Journey North Monarchs & Milkweed News Updates. Click the "subscribe" button in the top-right corner of any published news update.

During the fall, catch the news about fall monarch roosts and peak migration events. Learn when the Eastern population of monarchs reach the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Mexico and the Western population reaches sanctuaries along the coast of California. These news updates will be delivered to you twice a month.

Of Note

Because migratory species start their fall migration in August, the Journey North reporting categories and interactive maps are now primed to showcase the fall migration phenomenon. You can still view Journey North spring migration observational reports displayed on our interactive maps by following these simple instructions.

Instructions for viewing spring migration maps

Step 1: Go to Journey North Maps. Notice that these maps are set to display Fall 2022 migration data.

Step 2: Use the seasonal dropdown menu to select Spring 2022 migration season (or any previous season/year of interest).

You will now be able to select the map of interest.

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Researchers, land managers, and many others rely on the help of Journey North volunteers to better understand the monarch's conservation needs. Your observations make a valuable contribution - and help tell the dramatic story of the monarch migration. What To Report 1. Reporting category: Monarch Adult Sighted Where are monarchs?

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Students create a simple digital field guide about local butterfly species and their lifecycles. They research online to find information about butterflies in their area and compile it into a shareable digital document.