LIFE CYCLE OF A BUTTERFLY

FIRST STAGE: EGG

The life cycle starts with the adult female butterfly laying a cluster of small, round eggs on plants, which become food for the tiny worm-like caterpillars that hatch 4-6 days after they are laid.

SECOND STAGE: CATERPILLAR

It is the larval stage during which the caterpillar emerges from the egg. It is also called the feeding stage because, at this stage, a caterpillar has only one job to do that is to eat.

THIRD STAGE: PUPA

After a caterpillar attains its full-grown size, it stops eating and enters its chrysalis for the pupal stage.

FOURTH STAGE: ADULT

In this stage, the chrysalis opens, and the adult butterfly or imago comes out. The adult butterfly has long antennae, long legs, and compound eyes. When it first emerges from the chrysalis, its long, colorful wings are damp, soft, and are folded against the body. The butterfly rests and waits for the wings to dry. Once fit for its first flight, the butterfly takes off in search of nectar-producing flowers. Adult females fly from one place to another to find plants suitable for laying eggs. While most butterflies live for 1-2 weeks, some species spend the winter as hibernating adults, surviving for several months.

FUN FACTS:

• The Monarch butterfly caterpillar that hatches from its egg is about 2-6 mm long but grows up to 2 inches within a few weeks.
• Swallowtail butterflies spend the winter in the chrysalis stage, with the adults emerging in spring to search for host plants.