What goes on inside the chrysalis?

[Arenzano]

Hi,

We're a homeschooling family who has reared a few monarchs each summer. We currently have 3 chrysalis right now.

I'm sure there has been research into what happens inside the chrysalis, and we're wondering where to find information about that. I think the only way to find that out would be to destroy the chrysalis at various stages, but there is NO WAY we will do that. So we're looking for the info someone has already done.

Thanks for your help,
Chrisanne in MN

[Keith Petrosky]

I think the molecules liquify, and eventually get the color/organs. The outline of the chyrsalis is what shapes the molecules to form the butterfly. It's still amazing if you think about it and I dont think we could duplicate that even in a test tube!

[Pat]

Hi Arenzano, I don't know what level of detail you're looking for, but what you can do is look up articles about histolysis (that's the digestive-like process where the pupa breaks down parts of the old larva body for re-use), histoblasts (also called the imaginal buds or discs, which are groups of cells that are present but hidden and non-functioning in the larva, but which don't get digested -- they are responsible for forming specific structures and organs in the adult butterfly) and/or histogenesis (the general name for the process of building tissues and organs from undifferentiated cells). They'll have the information you want.

I have seen some older research projects where scientists did identify specific histoblasts from the larvae of other species, but I don't know of one specifically for monarchs. They were investigating what would happen if, for instance, they carefully removed the hindwing histoblasts from the larvae, then allowed them to complete their development. What they got was a butterfly with larger forewings, suggesting that since the amount of soup in the pupa is limited, if some histoblasts aren't present to use up some of it to make their structures, then some of the others might be able to get more.

If you want to dig really down deep in the biochemical details, try looking for the set of books called Comprehensive Molecular Insect Science. Way beyond my budget, LOL.

[Teresa]

You know, the only thing I've wondered when I set waiting for them to emerge is "do they breath in there or do they take their first breath when they come out".

[Teresa]

I've also wondered when they shed their skins, "Does that hurt?" LOL, looks like it would.