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Day 1
Tiny eggs are laid by the female
on a leaf. -
Day 5
A tiny wormlike creature hatches! -
Catapillar Stage
The caterpillar is the primary eating and growth stage of the butterfly. -
Period: to
Transformation Stage
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. -
Chrysalis Stage
Catapillar is resting in its cocoon. -
Storage Time
The catapillar must eat enough nutrients to survive during the chrysalis stage. -
Butterfly Emerges
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A Big Debut
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. -
A New Look
A little warming from the sun and it is now ready to fly off to feed and then lay its eggs. -
All Grown Up
An adult butterfly cannot eat, they can only drink through their straw-like spiral proboscis. -
Butterflies in Bloom
Durring the butterflies short adult stage it will fly, mate, and reproduce. -
Creating New Life
An adult female butterfly lays her eggs. -
The End
An adult butterfly only has a lifespan of approximately 2-6 weeks. Environmental hazards can shorten this time.
