2. Metamorphosis The Life Cycle of the Butterfly

3. From Egg to Butterfly

4. Egg   The Butterfly lays it eggs on plants.   The eggs are green and shaped like an oval.   They are about 1 mm large.

5. Caterpillar 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.

6. Chrysalis 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.

7. Adult or Butterfly WWhen the chrysalis splits a butterfly is released AAir is then pumped into the wings, filling them with blood and unfolding them. TThe wings dry and harden within the first day. AAnd finally you have a beautiful flying butterfly.

8. Fun Websites to Visit   Butterflies at the field museum Butterflies at the field museum   Scientists Online: Butterflies Scientists Online: Butterflies   All About Butterflies - What is a Butterfly? All About Butterflies - What is a Butterfly?

9. Presented By: Elyssa Toubail