![]() ![]() The caterpillar is forming an abdomen, legs, and of course WINGS! The caterpillar will emerge from the chrysalis a Butterfly! Stage 4: ButterflyĪs a butterfly this guy will drink nectar, and spend their days pollinating our gardens. The transformation takes place over 9-14 days. The caterpillar is undergoing an amazing transformation inside of the hard shell. It is the last stage of the metamorphosis process. Monarch caterpillar forming chrysalis Stage 3: Chrysalis or Pupa Monarch caterpillar ready to form chrysalis. ![]() This time the new skin will be chrysalis. The caterpillar will shed its skin one more time. When the caterpillar is finally full the caterpillar will find a nice spot to transform. Monarch caterpillar growth & Monarch butterfly It will stay like that for a little while so that it can rest from all the work of coming out of the chrysalis. When the butterfly first comes out, the wings will be tenderly folded closed. ![]() Depending on the type of caterpillar, and weather the caterpillar will grow to full size in about 9-14 days. The caterpillar has finishing transforming through metamorphosis inside the pupa and will now come out of the chrysalis. “Instar” stages are the number of times the caterpillars shed their skin They have to shed to allow more “room” for growth. These little guys are growing so fast! Caterpillars go through 5 growing stages called “instars”. When they are not eating they spend their time hiding from predators, resting and growing. Caterpillars can eat a lot! Caterpillars eat leaves, each caterpillar has their leaf of choice…from milkweed to dill and cabbage. These little guys spend most of their time eating. The caterpillar will eat its way out of the egg to start its new journey.Ĭaterpillar hatching Stage 2: Larvae or Caterpillar What hatches out of the egg looks, in most cases, like a wingless miniature version of the adult insect. The eggs will hatch anywhere from a few days to few weeks depending on the type of caterpillar and the weather conditions. Insects with an incomplete metamorphosis (i.e the 3 stage or Hemimetabolous ones) have no pupa and their wings, in those insects that have wings, develop on the outside of their body. The female butterfly will use her instincts to select the best looking plants or food source for her offspring. Eggs are laid by adult females and are typically found on the underside of leaves. Metamorphosis is the process or changes of a caterpillar becoming a butterfly or moth.Īll butterflies and moths go through the same stages of transformation… Stages of Butterfly Life CycleĪll butterflies and moths start out as an egg. Let’s start at the beginning… How do butterflies become butterflies? What in the world is metamorphosis? ![]()
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