Monarch caterpillars molt (shed their skin) five times throughout their larval stage. The "skin" that is left behind is actually the caterpillar's exoskeleton. An insect's skeleton is on the outside, as opposed to on the instead like mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians and birds. Endoskeletons provide support inside the body in the form of bones and cartilage, whereas As caterpillars grow, their exoskeleton gets too tight, so they need to shed it in order to continue to grow. Each molt results in a new "instar" stage. Therefore, when the egg hatches, that tiny 2 mm caterpillar is in its first instar stage.
It will molt three more times and grow exponentially over a couple of weeks. Each stage lasts 3-5 days. The fifth and final molt is when the fifth instar caterpillar becomes a chrysalis.
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Carolina Milkweed
Asclepias cinerea
Photo Citations
Naturedigger would like to thank the following individuals for their contributions to the Carolina milkweed (Asclepias cinerea) identification slide:
Flower image provided by: Eric M. Powell - iNaturalist observation
Inset flower image provided by: Eleanor - Flickr
Leaf image provided by: Rebekah D. Wallace - Bugwood
Pod image provided by: Dr. Craig N. Heugel - Florida Native Wildflowers
Asclepias cinerea Profile
Common Name(s):
Carolina milkweed
Scientific Name:
Asclepias cinerea
Native Range:
AL, FL, GA, MS, SC
USDA Symbol:
ASCI5
Habitat:
• longleaf pine sandhills
• wiregrass-dominated understory
Growing Conditions:
• well-drained upland soils
• full sun to filtered shade
Plant Height:
24 inches (60 centimeters)
Stem Description:
• thin
• smooth
Leaf Description:
• narrow, linear leaves
• 2-4 inches (5-10 centimeters) long
• grasslike in appearance
Leaf Arrangement:
• opposite
Leaf Margin:
• entire
Leaf Surface:
• smooth (not hairy)
Flowering Period:
• May through September
Flower Description:
• lavender, pale purple to grayish white
• sparse, loosely arranged flowers that droop when in bloom
• 0.5 inch (1.25 centimeters)
• reflexed corolla (petals)
• sepals open into a starlike pattern, do not reflex backwards
• erect hoods contain incurving horns
Pod Description:
• long and linear
• smooth
• up to 4 inches (10 centimeters) long
Other Information:
• this species is difficult to spot among the grassy areas where it typically grows, but is obvious when in bloom
Similar Species: Southern milkweed (Asclepias viridula)
For More Information About This Species Visit:
***Unfortunately, we are unable to locate seeds to purchase for this species