A

Butterfly s
Life Cycle

Objectives
Understand the life cycle of a butterfly.

Four stages of a butterflys life

cycle.
1.) Egg Stage
2.) Larva Stage
3.) Pupae
Stage
4.) Adult Stage

The Egg Stage

In the egg stage, a female
butterfly lays its eggs on or
near plants.
Butterfly eggs can hatch in
a few days, a few weeks,
Or may require months.

The Larval Stage

In the Larval Stage, the eggs hatch and out

comes
a caterpillar. The caterpillar will shed its skin as
it
grows

The Pupae Stage

In the Pupae Stage, the
caterpillar fastens its body to
a leaf or twig with silk. The
caterpillars skin begins to
harden into a chrysalis. The
chrysalis is very hard and
many changes take place
inside. The body turns to a
soft liquid. The wings, legs,
and rest of the butterfly are
formed from the liquid.

The Adult Stage

Finally, when spring arrives,
the chrysalis is warmed by
the sun and the butterfly
breaks out!
The butterfly,
at the time it breaks out, is
a full grown adult
Female butterflies are
usually larger
than males, but less
colorful.