From Darkness to Light to Flight

Monarch-the Miracle Butterfly

Jules H. Poirier
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Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ........iv
Preface ........v
Dedication ........vi
Introduction ........vii

1. The Monarch's Fascinating, Complex Design ........1
The author introduces his subject by telling of an experience he had lecturing about a proposal for an optical navigation system to a group of engineers and managers who did not think it could be done. The author explained to them that the design had already been developed and was found in the monarch butterfly.

2. The Egg ........3
The egg of the monarch, described in detail.

3. The Caterpillar ........5
The caterpillar, itself an intricate organism.

4. The Caterpillar Enters the Chrysalis Stage ........9
A quick-change act from caterpillar to chryealis in approximately 60 seconds.

5. From Chrysalis to Butterfly ........13
The events inside the chryealis which transform it into a butterfly in typically eight days.

6. The Butterfly The monarch butterfly, in all its splendor.

7. The Butterfly's Eye ........27
The astounding eye of the monarch butterfly.

8. Migration and World Distribution ........41
The monarchs' amazing migration patterns and their geographical distribution throughout the world.

9. How Does the Monarch Butterfly Navigate? ........47
Informed speculations about how the monarch butterflies may navigate over thousands of miles to their over-wintering sites.

10. Reflections: Why Did God Create the Monarch? ........51

Appendix: The Navigation and Timekeeping Abilities of a Variety of Animals ........55

Bibliography ........63

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