MetamorphMetamorphosisosisThe Life Cycle of the The Life Cycle of the ButterflyButterfly

From Egg to Butterfly

Egg The Butterfly lays it

eggs on plants.

The eggs are green and shaped like an oval.

They are about 1 mm large.

CaterpillarCaterpillar or Larva or Larva This is the main eating

and growth stage.

The caterpillar stays near the plant where it was hatched, eating mostly leaves.

The caterpillar will eat until it outgrows its skin and then it will shed its skin and form a new one.

The caterpillar will do this 4-6 times, which is about once a week.

Chrysalis or PupaChrysalis or Pupa This is the transformation

stage where the caterpillar turns into a pupa and then into an adult.

The caterpillar crawls to a safe place and hangs upside down.

In about 24 hours the skin splits. Under this is the chrysalis, which hardens.

The Butterfly stays in this

state from 7 to 10 days.

Adult or ButterflyAdult or Butterfly When the chrysalis

splits a butterfly is released

Air is then pumped into the wings, filling them with blood and unfolding them.

The wings dry and harden within the first day.

And finally you have a beautiful flying butterfly.

Fun Websites to VisitFun Websites to Visit

Butterflies at the field museum

Scientists Online: Butterflies

All About Butterflies - What is a Butterfly?

Presented By:

Elyssa Toubail