Life Inside

Chrysalis of a Southern Monarch Butterfly (Danaus erippus) in its early stages. The use of backlighting exposes the lines and forms of a soon-to-be adult butterfly that is developing inside.

Danaus erippus is very similar to the well-known North American Danaus plexippus, but they are in fact considered separate species. The Southern Monarch can be found in South America, mainly in Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and southern Peru. Its caterpillars feed mainly on plants in the genus Asclepias, but they also utilize some non-Asclepias species.

Technical information: Macro photography. Artificial lighting through the use of 4 speedlight flashes and one continuous led light. DSLR camera with 105mm 2.8 lens + Raynox DCR-250.

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