Back Start Next

When you go monarch hunting, you can find monarchs of different sizes and ages. Monarch caterpillars grow through 5 stages. Each stage is called an "instar." This picture shows a monarch at each of the five instars.

3rd instar Try it !
Label the Larvae 		1st instar
2nd instar 4th instar 5th instar
Here's how: Slide these names in place to label each larva. The smallest stage is the "1st instar." Knowing that, can you name the others? Try it! Then see if you're right!


Photo © Karen Oberhauser

Did you know? "Larva" is another word for caterpillar.
"Larvae" is the plural. Larvae means caterpillars.