Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of Monarch butterfly wing with scales and scent gland (Danaus plexippus). Male monarch butterfly wings have narrower wing veins plus a spot of dense scales on each hind wing. The spot is a scent gland. Males use the pheromones produced by this gland to make themselves attractive to females. In two to five weeks of egg-laying a female will lay about 700 eggs. Generally, eggs hatch in 4 days, but cool temperatures delay hatching up to 12 days. Newly hatched caterpillars feed on milkweed, their sole source of food. Milkweed contains a poison that is harmless to monarchs, but which sickens predators. A caterpillar eventually attaches itself to a twig, sheds and forms a chrysalis from which an adult monarch butterfly emerges. An adult lives six weeks in summer but those that migrate can live six to nine months over winter. Magnification: x7 when shortest axis printed at 25 millimetres. | |
Licence : | Droits gérés |
Crédit: | Science Photo Library / DENNIS KUNKEL MICROSCOPY |
Taille de l’image : | 2646 px × 3302 px |
Model Release : | Non requis |
Property Release : | Non requis |
Restrictions : | - |