2014 Canada Silver $3 Caterpillar and Chrysalis - Animal Architects .25oz

• Country:Canada
• Collection:Silver Commemorative $3
• Metal:Silver
• Year:2014
• Denomination:$3
• Finish:Complete
• Weight (oz):0.25
• Purity:0.9999
• Mintage:5827
• Product type:Coin

Third and final coin in the beautiful series of animal architects!
Few metamorphoses are as dramatic as the one experienced bythe Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), which are a welcome sight during the summer across the many regions of Canada. Its beautifully patterned black and orange wings easily make the species one of the most recognisable butterflies found in North America; however, this iconic form isonly attained during the final stage of its life cycle, after it sheds its brightly striped caterpillar form and develops within the safety of the chrysalis that encases it.

The process begins when the caterpillar spins a silk pad on the underside of a milkweed (Asclepias) leaf and attaches its hind claspersto it. Now suspended with its head facing downwards, the caterpillar's life depends on the strength of this attachment. Twisting around, the caterpillar sheds its skin to reveal a moist exoskeleton that hardens to a waxy, green-coloured coating. The chrysalis darkens and becomes transparent over the course of nine to 15 days, during which time the pupadevelops inside. The butterfly soon emerges (afterapproximately 10 days with a little assistance from gravity as it pushes down and outwards to split the chrysalis. Now free, the butterfly will rest on its former enclosure while expanding its wings in preparation for its first flight.