stages of butterfly formation

Butterflies undergo a remarkable transformation known as complete metamorphosis, which involves four distinct stages:

1. Egg: The life cycle of a butterfly begins as a tiny, round or oval egg, typically laid on the underside of a leaf. The egg stage lasts a few days to a few weeks, depending on the species.

2. Larva (caterpillar): When the egg hatches, a tiny caterpillar emerges. Caterpillars are voracious eaters and spend most of their time eating and growing. They shed their skin several times during this stage, and eventually, the caterpillar reaches its full size.

3. Pupa (chrysalis): The caterpillar enters the pupal stage, during which it undergoes a dramatic transformation. The pupa, also known as a chrysalis, is usually brown or green and has a hard outer shell that protects the developing butterfly inside. The pupal stage can last anywhere from a few days to several months, depending on the species and environmental conditions.

4. Adult: After completing its metamorphosis inside the chrysalis, the adult butterfly emerges. At first, its wings are small and crumpled, but the butterfly pumps fluid into them to expand and straighten them out. Once its wings are fully developed, the butterfly can fly, feed, and reproduce. The adult stage can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks or even months, depending on the species.