A Kaleidoscope of Butterflies!

Sophia B.

Monarchs are large, beautifully colored butterflies that are easily identified by their orange, black, and white markings. They live in North, Central, and South America as well as Australia, some Pacific islands, India, and Western Europe.

click on any image to enlarge it

After hatching from tiny round eggs, Monarchs begin their lives as caterpillars colored with yellow, black and white stripes.

Ava R.

milkweed flower by Savannah G.

​Monarch eggs are laid only on the leaves of Milkweed plants, and these plants are the only food source in the Monarch's caterpillar stage.

 


Milkweed sap eaten by the caterpillar is toxic to other creatures, making both the caterpillar and the butterfly that it becomes poisonous to predators!  

Blaise C.

Vivian S.

The caterpillar transforms into a pupa (also called a chrysalis), and after 9 to 15 days a fully formed Monarch butterfly emerges. After waiting for its wings to dry the butterfly begins to fly, surviving by drinking nectar from flowers.

​This butterfly, painted by Vivian, carries a little pot to store its nectar in:)

Male Monarchs are slightly larger than females. A black spot on each of its hind wings identifies it as a male.

Anshul M.

Grant H.

The most amazing thing about Monarch butterflies is the huge migration they undertake each year. They're the only butterflies who make a two-way migration, as birds do! Unlike other butterflies, Monarchs can't survive the cold winters of northern climates. Every fall, as cold weather approaches, the Monarchs begin flying south. They overwinter in California and Mexico, often nesting in the same trees that their ancestors landed in. In the spring the Monarchs begin their journey back north. Along the way, they roost and reproduce, giving rise to new butterflies that will continue their flight back north.

Noah S.

Rylan M.

A group of butterflies is called a kaleidoscope. The students at Blue Church Art created a wonderful kaleidoscope of Monarch butterflies this session!

Davis C.

Hayes C.

Katie D.

Emilia W.

Lindsay T.

Jacob T.

Arabelle K.

Denver B.

Holden C.

Brady M.

Jack C.

Soveida M.

Delaney G.

Abby D.

Ava K.

Sophia K.

Hadley G.

Alicia H.

Kiki C.

Erin M.

Orianna G.

It appears that the two Monarchs pictured below
​are toasting marshmallows!

Laney L.

Riley B.

These Monarch butterfly masterpieces were created by the older students using a variety of media~ gouache and sharpie marker, colored pencils, watercolor pencils, and pan pastels:

Sophia D.

Hope B.

Savannah G.

Madison W.

Carolyn R.

Reese K.

Kinley K.

Vanessa T.

Julia B.

Emerson T.

Jessica H.

Toby N.

Gianna S.

Reese B.

Ellie S.

William N.

Rissa S.

Madison C.

Erin C.

Corinne H.

Grace Y.

Ashlee K.

​Here's something wonderful...

​I was delighted to learn that one of my students dressed up as a Monarch Butterfly for Halloween!:)