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Tiny eggs are laid by the female
on a leaf. -
A tiny wormlike creature hatches!
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The caterpillar is the primary eating and growth stage of the butterfly.
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The pupa or chrysalis is the resting or transformation stage, and within it the marvelous transformation from caterpillar to adult takes place. This process can take 7 to 15 days depending on the weather. Hot Summer days speed up this process, whereas cooler Spring or Fall nights slow this process.
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Catapillar is resting in its cocoon.
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The catapillar must eat enough nutrients to survive during the chrysalis stage.
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A butterfly is emerging now. The pupa skin splits, the limp, damp butterfly crawls out-now with compound eyes, a proboscis for feeding and six legs. The wings are expanded and blood is pumping into them.
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A little warming from the sun and it is now ready to fly off to feed and then lay its eggs.
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An adult butterfly cannot eat, they can only drink through their straw-like spiral proboscis.
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Durring the butterflies short adult stage it will fly, mate, and reproduce.
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An adult female butterfly lays her eggs.
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An adult butterfly only has a lifespan of approximately 2-6 weeks. Environmental hazards can shorten this time.
