Life Cycle of a Butterfly
Egg Stage
The mother lays eggs on or near a plant.
Larva Stage
The egg hatches and out comes a caterpillar.
Pupa Stage
The caterpillar eats and grows until finally it pops out of its old skin with a new skin on. This happens four or five times. After the caterpillar has grown it makes silk and with the silk fastens its body to a leaf or twig. The caterpillar's skin comes off for the last time. This is called the pupa stage.
Under the skin is a hard form called a chrysalis.
Many changes happen inside the chrysalis (Hey, I thought this was called a COCOON!). The body turns to a soft liquid. The wings, legs and rest of the butterfly are formed from the liquid.
Adult (Imago) Stage
When spring comes, the chrysalis is warmed and the butterfly breaks out!
For more detailed information, go check out this web-site at the Unversity of Kansas!
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