Sexing Monarch Pupae

Nigel Venters

Butterfly guru Nigel Venters has provided this excellend illustration which shows clearly how to tell the sex of Monarch butterfly pupae.

SEXING MONARCH PUPAE can easily be done with a good magnifying lens. this image has been enhanced to show the differences you need to look for. The enlargements of the anal segments to the right of the picture give a closer view of the difference.

THE MALE PUPA is at the top of the picture, it has a small dimple on the dividing edge between the anal segment and the second segment.

THE FEMALE PUPA has a distinct indented line that extends from the middle of the anal segment to the third segment. The line divides the second segment completely.