butterfly life cycle

Butterflies go through a life cycle that has four stages. It’s called metamorphosis. The life cycle process can take a month to year. It depends on the type of butterfly.

In the first stage a girl butterfly lays eggs. About five days after the eggs are laid. A tiny worm-like creature will hatch from the egg.

The second stage is the caterpillar or larve. It looks like a worm. The caterpillar is hungry, once it has hatched. While they are in this stage, all they do is eat. It starts to grow fast because it eats all the time.

Stage three is the chrysalis. The caterpillar makes a chrysalis or pupa. It is mostly brown or green. The caterpillar starts to change into a butterfly. This is the resting stage and it doesn’t take a long time.

In stage four, the pupa opens. It is called an imago. Butterflies are very colorful. Butterflies cannot fly good at first. It does not take long for them to learn how to fly. When it can fly, it will go look for food.

The adult  butterfly will continue the cycle.