From inside the chrysalis to epic migration: secrets of monarch revealed in 3D

[arikara]

Documentary that captures butterfly's extraordinary 2,000-mile trek across North America to Mexico is tipped to be next smash hit nature film

The extraordinary 2,000-mile journey made by millions of butterflies each autumn from Canada, through the USA to Mexico is revealed in minute detail for the first time in a multi-million pound 3D film. The insects' hair, scales and body movements in flight can be seen with a clarity that moved scientists at a preview screening to tears.

Filming the migration of the monarch butterfly took five years and was made possible by the development of new technology. The film's British director, Mike Slee, used the pioneering 3D "snorkel system" which can film insects in 3D "like nobody else before".

Micro CT and MRI scans for medical purposes have also been adapted to view inside a chrysalis, showing a caterpillar transform into a butterfly over a period of two weeks.



http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/sep/22/monarch-butterfly-secrets-revealed

This looks amazing. I can't wait to see it.

[catchnrelease]

1. This sounds fantastic!!

I can't wait for this to open. I grow patches and pots of milkweed to encourage the Monarchs to come, reproduce and continue their cycle. I often collect the caterpillars when they start wandering, looking for a spot to make a chrysalis, and put them in a 'bug dorm' so they can pupate in safety. I want to know what really goes on inside of those beautiful jade colored capsules when the metamorphosis is taking place--wow, this will be great!!!!

Thanks so much for posting this!

[Zorra]

2. I love butterflies.

A must see.

I often winter with the Monarchs, in Oaxaca

[arikara]

3. I would so love to see that

we don't have monarchs here at all. We have a few more butterflies around every year, they all were decimated when the morons decided to spray for the gypsy moth about 15 years ago.

[pansypoo53219]

4. PBS's Nature had a amazing doc on monarch's.

[pampango]

5. Damn liberal 'open borders' monarchs! How do they expect their species to thrive with no respect

for national borders.

Seriously, I had never heard of the monarch's 'super generation'.

The film dispels the myth that butterflies live only for a day. Monarchs create about four generations each year. Those from the first three generations live only a few weeks, but it is the fourth – known as the "super generation" – that migrates south and survives for between five and six months.

Sounds like a fantastic film. Hope it comes to our area.

[Evasporque]

6. This time of year...

Sailing on Lake Michigan out of Milwaukee you see monoarchs making the crossing....flying in a drunken sort of manner. As you start to look for them you see dozens some just above the water some 30-40 feet up. Sometimes heading back in a few hitch a ride on the sails....they rest on the sunny side of old buildings of the Milwaukee County Grounds...like a moving blanket.

[arikara]

7. It must be amazing to see

Hummingbird migration is awesome enough but all those delicate butterflies making the long flight is beyond awesome. I can't wait for the documentary.

[niyad]

8. thank you for sharing this---love the monarchs

[DCKit]

9. Didn't see our monarch caterpillars until a few weeks ago.

Some were huge, others tiny.

I left as much milkweed around as I could, but we just don't have the numbers we used to.