presentation butterfly life cycle

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Butterfly Life Cycle Resources (Free Google Slides and More)

The fascinating process of metamorphosis in action.

The butterfly life cycle is a popular topic in science classrooms, and for good reason. The process of complete metamorphosis never fails to amaze! Here, you’ll find lots of helpful resources for teaching the life cycle of a butterfly to kids, including free Google Slides to share.

Butterfly Life Cycle Facts

Life cycle of a butterfly vocabulary words.

• Butterfly Life Cycle Worksheets and Activities
• Videos About the Butterfly Life Cycle

Butterfly Books for Kids

To get this free set of Butterfly Life Cycle Google Slides featuring all the information below, just fill out the form on this page .

What are the stages of the butterfly life cycle?

Butterflies undergo complete metamorphosis, changing their initial form to something that looks completely different. This process happens in four stages:

• Egg: Female butterflies lay hundreds of tiny eggs on or near plants.
• Larva: The larva of a butterfly is called a caterpillar. Their only job is to eat and grow.
• Pupa: A full-grown caterpillar pupates into its chrysalis, where it rests as its body undergoes a major change.
• Adult: The adult butterfly, complete with wings, emerges from from the chrysalis. Adult butterflies fly, eat, and mate before they die.

Where do butterflies lay their eggs?

Butterflies usually lay their eggs on or near the plants that their caterpillars will eat when they hatch. One female butterfly lays several hundred eggs. They may lay them individually or in groups.

Butterfly eggs are very small, only about the size of the head of a pin. They can be round or shaped more like a football, hard or soft, and come in a variety of colors. It usually takes about two to five days to hatch into a minuscule caterpillar.

What do caterpillars eat?

Caterpillars eat plants, mostly leaves. The caterpillars of different species each eat specific types of plants, called “host plants.” If a caterpillar eats the wrong kind of plant, it can die. However, this rarely happens, as caterpillars instinctively know which types of plants to eat.

Some examples of common caterpillar host plants include:

• Monarchs: Milkweed
• Eastern Black Swallowtails: Parsley, dill, fennel, celery, carrot
• Cabbage Whites: Cabbage, broccoli, collards, mustard
• Red Admiral: Nettles
• Eastern Tiger Swallowtail: Wild cherry, tulip tree, ash tree, cottonwood

How do caterpillars grow?

Like all insects, caterpillars have an exoskeleton. That means their outer covering stays the same size, even as they eat and grow bigger. A newly hatched caterpillar has very loose outer skin, which grows tighter as the caterpillar gorges itself. Eventually, that skin becomes too tight. It breaks open and the caterpillar sheds it, a process known as “molting.”

The caterpillar’s new skin is once again loose, allowing the larva to continue to eat and get bigger. It will need to molt several times before it’s big enough to move on to the next stage. We call the time between each molt an “instar.” A caterpillar can look pretty much the same each time it molts, or it can look very different. Butterfly experts can often tell which instar a caterpillar is in just by looking at its color, size, and patterns.

How long does it take a caterpillar to become a butterfly?

Most caterpillars feed, grow, and molt for about 10 days to two weeks. When they reach their maximum size, they might rest for a day or so before beginning to pupate. Then, they generally spend about two weeks as a chrysalis before emerging as an adult butterfly.

Do butterflies use a cocoon or a chrysalis?

These two terms are often confused, but they mean different things. Butterflies don’t use a cocoon at all, but many moths do. Here’s the difference:

• Chrysalis: This is the term used to describe a butterfly’s pupa, the third stage of metamorphosis. In this stage, the caterpillar sheds its skin one last time. Then it undergoes a series of physical changes. When it’s ready, it breaks open the chrysalis to emerge as a butterfly.
• Cocoon: A cocoon is a separate structure that many moths weave around their pupa as they undergo the third stage of metamorphosis. They may spin a strong web of silk, wrapped around themselves thousands of times. Or they may use their silk to wrap themselves in leaves instead. Once they emerge from their pupa inside the cocoon, adult moths must then break out of the cocoon too.

What do butterflies eat?

Butterflies eat a lot of nectar, the sweet, sugary substance many flowers produce. They don’t have mouths; instead they use their long proboscis to draw the nectar up into their bodies to be digested. When it’s not in use, the proboscis coils up so it’s not in the way.

Flowers aren’t the only butterfly food, though. Some species prefer other foods, like tree sap, rotting fruit, animal dung, and even carrion (decaying animal flesh)! Heliconius butterflies like the zebra longwing are also able to gather pollen on their proboscis and digest it for even more energy.

What is butterfly puddling?

Sometimes you’ll see groups of butterflies gathered around a mud puddle on the ground. They’re there to drink the muddy water, which is a good source of the minerals they need. You might also see them puddling on wet sand or in a puddle on the sidewalk.

Do butterflies sleep?

Butterflies are exothermic, meaning they get their warmth from the air around them. At night, when the sun goes down, most butterflies get too cold to fly. They use that time to rest, sometimes in large groups, waiting for the sun to return the next day and warm them back up again.

What do butterflies do in the winter?

Butterflies have a few different ways to survive cold winter months. Not all of them fly south! In fact, many stay right where they are, in various parts of their life cycle.

• Egg: Some species overwinter as eggs, usually tucked into crevices in bark or under the soil. When spring begins and their host plants appear, they hatch and start feeding.
• Caterpillar: Other species spend the winter as caterpillars, often snuggled down in leaf litter beneath trees, or in the dirt. A few have the ability to freeze solid and thaw again in the spring!
• Chrysalis: Some species pupate in the fall and wait out the cold weather in their chrysalis. When flowers bloom in the spring, they emerge and look for mates.
• Adult: Many butterflies spend the winter tucked away in rock crevices or holes in trees. They enter a motionless stage called “torpor,” where their body shuts down and they don’t need to eat.

Do butterflies migrate?

Some butterfly species do migrate. The most famous butterfly migration is the one undertaken each year by the central monarch population of the United States and Canada. They fly 3,000 miles south to overwinter on one of a few mountaintops in Mexico each winter.

Other butterflies move shorter distances, perhaps a few hundred miles or so south to avoid the worst of the cold. They may also migrate based on food availability, traveling in large groups toward wherever their preferred foods are most abundant.

How long does a butterfly live?

Most adult butterflies live only about two weeks. Those that overwinter as adults can live much longer, but they only spend a couple of weeks actively flying and eating. Heliconius butterflies are an exception—because they eat pollen in addition to nectar, they might live six to nine months.

Overall, a butterfly’s life cycle is pretty short: about two to five days as an egg, two weeks as a caterpillar, 10 days to two weeks as a chrysalis, and two weeks as an adult. This gives most species time to produce several generations each year.

First stage in the butterfly’s life cycle. Female butterflies lay tiny eggs (around the size of a pinhead or smaller) on or near their host plants. Caterpillars usually hatch out a few days later.

Caterpillar

This is the second stage in a butterfly’s life cycle. They have segmented, worm-like bodies with three pairs of true legs and several pairs of appendages that are similar to legs, called “prolegs.”

Caterpillars can be very small (a centimeter or less) or grow to nearly the size of a hot dog! Each species of butterfly caterpillar looks different, and some are covered in spines or hairs.

Pronounced “CRISS-uh-liss.” This is the third stage in a butterfly’s life cycle. A caterpillar sheds its skin one final time and forms a hard, thin skin about its body. Inside, the creature undergoes metamorphosis, developing a new body shape and wings.

Chrysalides (the plural form of this word) come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some hang from branches, while others are wrapped in leaves or buried in the ground.

Each type of butterfly caterpillar eats only specific plants, known as their host plants. For instance, monarch butterfly caterpillars only eat milkweed species. Some caterpillars can eat many types of plants—painted lady butterflies have at least 100 known host plants, including asters, hollyhocks, thistles, and sunflowers.

As a caterpillar eats and gets bigger, it outgrows its skin and sheds it several times (molts). The time between each of these molts is known as an instar. Most caterpillars have about five different instars.

A caterpillar can look very different each time it sheds its skin, so you may see pictures labeled “Black swallowtail caterpillar, third instar.”

This is the word used to describe the second stage of complete metamorphosis in insects. In butterflies, the larva is called a caterpillar. (Plural: larvae)

Metamorphosis

Pronounced “met-uh-MORE-feh-siss.” It describes the process by which some animals change dramatically to become adults. It’s especially common in insects, but some other animals experience metamorphosis, including frogs.

Butterflies and moths undergo complete metamorphosis, which has four distinct stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult.

Migrate/Migration

This word is used to describe the movement of large groups of animals from one place to another, usually seasonally. Some butterflies migrate during the winter months.

Monarchs are famous for their winter migration, in which the central population of monarch butterflies travels up to 3,000 miles south to overwinter on one of several mountaintops in Mexico.

When an animal molts, it sheds its skin, feathers, or fur. Caterpillars molt several times as they grow, shedding their old skin.

This is another word for laying eggs, but it’s usually only used for insects. For instance, “The black swallowtail butterfly oviposits on parsley and dill.” It’s pronounced “OH-vuh-pah-sit.”

This is the word used to describe the third stage of complete metamorphosis in insects. In butterflies, the pupa (pronounced “PEW-pah”) is called a chrysalis. (Plural: pupae)

When a caterpillar is ready to change into a butterfly, it sheds its skin one final time and becomes a chrysalis. The word used to describe that process is pupate . In other words, a caterpillar pupates into a chrysalis when it’s done eating and growing. (Say “PEW-pate.”)

Butterfly Life Cycle Activities

Free butterfly life cycle worksheet bundle.

In our free printable butterfly life cycle worksheet bundle you’ll find an interactive booklet, a matching game, anatomy diagrams, and an easy paper plate craft.

Get your free printable butterfly life cycle worksheet here.

Experience the life cycle of a butterfly firsthand

This is a classic elementary school activity, and most people use an all-in-one kit to make things easier. Kids are always amazed to observe hatching eggs, growing caterpillars, and the magic of metamorphosis in real life!

Find our favorite insect life cycle kits for home or classroom here.

Plant a butterfly garden at school

One downside to butterfly kits is that they use a prepared food substitute rather than a butterfly’s host plants. Emphasize the importance of pollinator gardens and providing food for wildlife by planning a butterfly garden at your school. Tip: Look into the Seeds for Education grant program for possible funding opportunities.

Learn how to set up a butterfly garden at school here.

Use pasta to represent the butterfly life cycle stages

Raid the grocery store and pick up a few different kinds of pasta. Then, use them to represent eggs, larvae, pupae, and adult butterflies. Kids can paint them or leave them plain.

Learn more: Pasta Butterfly Life Cycle at Mama Miss

Stick a magnetic butterfly life cycle on your whiteboard

These magnets are oversized, making it easy to share the various stages with your students. The set includes an activity guide too.

Buy it: Learning Resources Butterfly Life Cycle Magnets at Amazon

Videos About the Butterfly Life Cycle for Kids

Butterfly: a life by national geographic.

This stunning footage gives you a close-up look at the whole process of metamorphosis in just a few minutes.

How Does a Caterpillar Become a Butterfly?

SciShow’s video is perfect for the younger crowd, complete with vocabulary word definitions, photos, and more.

Time-Lapse Butterfly Metamorphosis

There’s no more fascinating part of a butterfly’s life than when it pupates from caterpillar to chrysalis and then emerges later as a butterfly. See it all in this time-lapse footage.

Reading about the life cycle of a butterfly is always fascinating. These top butterfly books for kids are perfect for story time, bedtime, or anytime.

• 16 Butterfly Books Worth Fluttering For
• 35 Easy Very Hungry Caterpillar Activities, Art Projects, and Crafts

Get Your Free Butterfly Life Cycle Google Slides

Just fill out the form on this page get your free Butterfly Life Cycle Google Slides! They include all the information on this page formatted in kid-friendly slides you can use in your classroom.

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Butterfly Life Cycle Worksheet Bundle (Free Printables)

Anatomy diagrams, matching game, interactive booklet, and more! Continue Reading

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The butterfly life cycle!

See the fascinating transformation from caterpillar to butterfly.

Ready for the lowdown on one of nature’s most beautiful insects? Then check out our butterfly life cycle facts! 

We all love butterflies for their beautiful, brightly-coloured wings. But did you know that these fab flyers begin life as something completely different? As they grow, they undergo one seriously terrific transformation – a process known as “ metamorphosis “.

Join  Nat Geo Kids  as we follow the life-cycle of this quirky creature, from the egg to the air!

Stage 1: the egg

It all starts when a female butterfly lays her eggs, usually on leaves or stems of plants. Inside these tiny eggs, caterpillars grow. Depending on the species, the eggs can vary in shape and texture – they can be round, oval or cylindrical, and smooth, bumpy or wrinkled. The time it takes for the eggs to hatch can also vary – in some species, they will hatch within a few weeks and in others they will only hatch once the weather is warm enough.

Love animals? You’d love our magazine!

Ask your parents to check out Nat Geo Kids magazine !

Stage 2: the caterpillar

Once ready, the caterpillar leaves its egg home and enters the big outside world! And these little critters have one serious appetite – they actually eat their way out of the egg and immediately start chomping on the leaves of the host plant. During this stage, they shed their skin four or five times – as the caterpillar grows, its skin becomes too tight and splits open, revealing a new, larger skin underneath. A fully grown caterpillar can be over 100 times larger than when it emerged from its egg. Wow!

Stage 3: the pupa

Once fully grown, the caterpillar forms itself into a “pupa” (or chrysalis) – a kind of vessel in which the caterpillar changes into a butterfly. They usually do this on twigs or safe, hidden areas around the host plant. The “pupa” stage may last a few weeks to several months depending on the species. During this time, a hardened case forms around the pupa to protect it from predators and extreme weather conditions. And inside, the tissue, limbs and organs of the caterpillar transform. The result? A wonderful winged butterfly!

Stage 4: the butterfly

Once the butterfly is ready to emerge, the case around the pupa splits open. But it’s not time for take off just yet, as the wings are at first wet, soft and wrinkled against its body. The butterfly waits for its wings to dry, and pumps a liquid called hemolymph into them so that they become big and strong. Once fit for flight, this brilliant bug then takes to the air in search for flowers to feed on and for other butterflies to mate with.

And that’s the cycle complete – and ready to start all over again!

DID YOU KNOW? Moths also go through this process of metamorphosis. Check out the four stages of the Atlas moth, below – the largest moth in the world!

Images: Atlas moth: Butterfly World . All other images: Getty Images UK. Monarch butterfly on flower: James Laurie, Shutterstock.

Cool, huh did you enjoy learning about the butterfly life cycle let us know by leaving a comment, below, leave a comment.

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Butterfly Life Cycle Resources (Free Google Slides and More)

The butterfly life cycle is a popular topic in science classrooms, and for good reason. The process of complete metamorphosis never fails to amaze! Here, you’ll find lots of helpful resources for teaching the life cycle of a butterfly to kids, including free Google Slides to share.

Attributes: 4-5 6-8 Video

Resource Link:  https://www.weareteachers.com/butterfly-life-cycle/

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• Butterflies in USA

Life Cycle of a Butterfly

• Butterfly Eggs
• Caterpillars (Larvae of a Butterfly)
• Butterfly Pupa (Chrysalis)
• Butterfly Host Plants
• Butterfly Habitat
• How Long do Butterflies Live
• Butterfly Migration
• Why are Butterflies So Colorful
• Do Butterflies Bite
• Flying Mechanism of Butterflies
• How do Butterflies Mate and Reproduce

What is the Life Cycle of a Butterfly

The series of changes in shape, form, and activities that a butterfly goes through during its lifetime is the life cycle, while the complex biological process involved in the transformation from caterpillars to adult butterflies is called metamorphosis. Butterflies undergo complete metamorphosis in which the young differs from the adult in terms of their looks and feeding habits.

What are the Life Stages of a Butterfly

Butterflies go through four different stages in their life cycle, with each having a different goal. The caterpillars, for example, eat a lot, whereas adults reproduce. Depending on the butterfly species, these stages last from several weeks to a year.

First Stage: Egg

The life cycle starts with the adult female butterfly laying a cluster of small, round eggs on plants, which become food for the tiny worm-like caterpillars that hatch 4-6 days after they are laid.

Second Stage: Caterpillar

It is the larval stage during which the caterpillar emerges from the egg. It is also called the feeding stage because, at this stage, a caterpillar has only one job to do that is to eat.

Third Stage: Pupa

After a caterpillar attains its full-grown size, it stops eating and enters its chrysalis for the pupal stage.

Fourth Stage: Adult

In this stage, the chrysalis opens, and the adult butterfly or imago comes out. The adult butterfly has long antennae, long legs, and compound eyes. When it first emerges from the chrysalis, its long, colorful wings are damp, soft, and are folded against the body. The butterfly rests and waits for the wings to dry. Once fit for its first flight, the butterfly takes off in search of nectar-producing flowers. Adult females fly from one place to another to find plants suitable for laying eggs. While most butterflies live for 1-2 weeks, some species spend the winter as hibernating adults, surviving for several months.

Interesting Facts

• The Monarch butterfly caterpillar that hatches from its egg is about 2-6 mm long but grows up to 2 inches within a few weeks.
• Swallowtail butterflies spend the winter in the chrysalis stage, with the adults emerging in spring to search for host plants.
• Not all the larvae or caterpillars turn into adult butterflies because the immature larvae of moths are also called caterpillars.

Newly Added Butterflies

• Monarch (Danaus plexippus)
• Edith’s Checkerspot (Euphydryas editha)
• Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)
• Milbert’s Tortoiseshell (Aglais milberti)
• Eastern Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes asterius)

Common Butterflies

Atala (Eumaeus atala)

Postman (Heliconius melpomene)

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The Life Cycle of a Butterfly

Jul 29, 2014

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The Life Cycle of a Butterfly. Melissa Smith. Butterflies. Butterflies are different from humans They have four stages of life: Egg Larva Pupa Adult Their life cycle is called metamorphosis Let’s explore the life of a butterfly!. First Stage: The Egg.

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The Life Cycle of a Butterfly Melissa Smith

Butterflies • Butterflies are different from humans • They have four stages of life: • Egg • Larva • Pupa • Adult • Their life cycle is called metamorphosis • Let’s explore the life of a butterfly!

First Stage: The Egg • A butterfly starts their life in an egg • The shape of the egg depend on the type of butterfly • Round, oval, big, small • Butterflies eggs are usually laid on leaves of plants • Adult butterflies lay lots of eggs at one time

Second Stage: Larva • The egg hatches and the caterpillar’s life starts • A caterpillar is also called a Larva • This stage is all about eating! Yummy! • The caterpillar has to eat a lot so he can grow • The caterpillar mostly eats the leaf that it was born on • When the caterpillar gets as big as he can, he starts molting. • This means he sheds his baby skin

Third Stage: Pupa • This stage also called chrysalis • Once the caterpillar is as big as he can get, he forms himself into a pupa. • He finds a tree where he can hang. • It looks like the butterfly is just sleeping but he is actually transforming into a beautiful butterfly!

Fourth Stage: Adult • After time has passed, the caterpillar has transformed into a butterfly • The butterfly is ready to come out of the pupa • It takes about 3 or 4 hours for the adult to learn to fly and feel comfortable • Once the butterfly has come out, they look for mates to continue the life cycle • The mommy butterflies lay more eggs on the leaves of trees and the cycle starts all over again!

THE END! • http://www.thebutterflysite.com/life-cycle.shtml

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The life cycle of a butterfly

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The Life Cycle of a Butterfly…

The Life Cycle of a Butterfly…. Your name/Group name _____________________________________ Start date_________________ Completion date _______________. Introduction.

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Butterfly Life Cycle

Table of contents, introduction, butterfly metamorphosis, life cycle of a butterfly.

Butterflies are considered to be the prettiest insects and belong to the order Lepidoptera. Lepidoptera is a greek term that defines the “scaly wings” of an insect which is true in the case of butterflies. These scaly patterns that are placed on the wings of butterflies in colourful designs give every butterfly a distinctive look.

Although butterflies fall under the order Lepidoptera, butterflies primarily fall under the superfamily known as Papilionoidea.

Metamorphosis in butterflies is complete metamorphosis because of its distinctive stages: the egg, the larvae (caterpillar), the pupa (Chrysalis) and the adult stage. The insect’s physical features are different in all the stages of metamorphosis.

1) The Egg – Stage 1:

The female butterfly lays the egg on the surface of a leaf or a stem. The egg is tiny, oval or cylindrical and varies in colour. The popular larvae form of a butterfly known as the caterpillar gradually grows inside the egg. These eggs hatch according to the favourable conditions outside, if it’s warm the eggs faster otherwise it takes a few weeks.

2) The Larva (Caterpillar) – Stage 2:

The larvae or in this case a caterpillar that hatches goes on an eating rampage. In this stage, they eat, moult and repeat that process constantly. After hatching the caterpillar is extremely hungry and eats constantly. The caterpillar eats its way out of the egg and then continues to eat plants in the outside world.

3) The Pupa (Chrysalis) – Stage 3:

The caterpillar forms a vessel around it, called the ‘pupa’. Inside the pupa, the caterpillar gradually grows and develops. During this stage, the pupa creates skins around the vessel that makes the exterior hard. The chrysalis protects the pupa till it transforms into a butterfly and breaks out of the vessel.

4) The Adult – Stage 4:

The most prominent stage known to human beings is the adult stage when the Chrysalis breaks out of the vessel with colourful scaly wings. At first, these scaly wings are folded against the body of the butterfly because of its brittle nature. Once it pumps blood into the wing the butterfly flies in search of food and other butterflies to mate with. After the mating is completed, the female butterfly lays eggs on a leaf or flat surface and the whole cycle begins all over again.

Butterflies are cold-blooded insects that require external temperatures to create body temperature. In extremely cold temperatures, the butterfly spreads its wings on a leaf, pile of mud or rocks to acquire sufficient body heat.

To find out more about butterflies and other insects, register by BYJU’S Biology .

Frequently Asked Questions on Butterfly Life Cycle

What is the difference between moths and butterflies.

Even though moths and butterflies fall under the same order, they differ in their characteristics. Moths are nocturnal insects while butterflies are diurnal and are active during the day. While resting, moths place their wings sideways like an air jet on halt, and the butterflies rest with their wings vertically upwards. Moth’s wings are dark and dull compared to the vibrant colourful scales on the butterfly’s wings.

How many kinds of butterflies are there in India?

There are around 20,000 species of butterflies around the world. But to name a few in India, the most common butterflies are Common Tiger (Danaus Genutia), Common Crow (Euploea core), Common Jezebel (Delias Eucharis), and Common Glass Yellow (Eurema Hecabe) and Mottled Emigrant (Catopsilia Pyranthe).

How long does a butterfly live?

The average lifespan of a butterfly is one month. Butterflies like Monarch and Morning Cloaks live for about 6 to 12 months. The life expectancy of a butterfly changes depending upon environmental factors.

Which is the largest butterfly in the world?

Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing is the biggest butterfly in the world. The wingspan measures up to 1 ft i.e., 30 cm long. It hails from the tropical rainforests of Papua New Guinea.

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​Life Cycle of Butterfly

​The life cycle of butterfly stages includes egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and adult butterfly. Butterflies belong to the phylum Arthropoda. Butterflies are small insects known for their vibrant colourful wings. The life cycle of butterfly stages explains how an egg transforms to form a beautiful adult butterfly. Let us see the life cycle of butterfly in detail.

Table of Content

Butterflies

Scientific classification of butterfly.

Life Cycle of Butterfly

• Egg Stage of Butterfly
• Larva or Caterpillar Stage of Butterfly
• Pupa or Chrysalis Stage of Butterfly
• Adult Stage of Butterfly

Importance of Butterflies in the Ecosystem

Factors influencing life cycle of butterfly, conclusion – life cycle of butterfly, faqs on butterfly life cycle.

Butterflies are insects that belong to the order Lepidoptera (superfamily Papilionoidea). Due to the patterns on their wings, butterflies appear different form the other. They are attracted by the flowers and feed on their nectar. They play a crucial role in pollination , maintaining the dynamics of the ecosystem , and also act as indicators of environmental health.

Here is the scientific classification of butterflies:

Typical life cycle of butterfly has four distinct stages: egg , larva or caterpillar , pupa or chrysalis , and adult . Each stage has distinct behavioural and physiological characteristics that take place in an orderly manner to form an adult butterfly. This process of transformation from eggs to adult is called “ metamorphosis “. The four stages involved in life cycle of butterfly are destribed as follows:

Egg Stage of Butterfly – Stage 1

In this stage, the female butterfly lay eggs on a plant. These eggs are laid singly or in clusters. The eggs differ in size, shape, and color which varies from species to species . The eggs are small, spherical or oval in shape. The length also varies in different species. This stage lasts from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the butterfly species and environmental conditions. Inside the egg, the embryo develops, eventually hatching into a tiny caterpillar.

Larva or Caterpillar Stage of Butterfly – Stage 2

Once the butterfly eggs hatch, they form larva which is also known as the caterpillar . In this stage the caterpillar feeds on plant leaves and grow in size. The caterpillar has a soft, cylindrical body with multiple legs. In order to accommodate this rapid growth, the caterpillars molt several times. In this process they lose exoskeleton. This stage is characterized by intense feeding and growth, preparing the caterpillar for the next stage of its transformation.

Pupa or Chrysalis Stage of Butterfly – Stage 3

This stage is followed by the larval stage in which the caterpillar transforms into a pupa, which is also known as the chrysalis . At this stage the metamorphosis begins leading to distinct changes in the larval anatomy. During the pupa or chrysalis stage, the caterpillar undergoes these transformation inside a protective shell.

Within the chrysalis, the caterpillar’s body breaks down into a soupy substance before reorganizing into the structure of an adult butterfly. This stage is crucial for the development of wings, antennae, and other adult features, marking a significant milestone in the butterfly’s life cycle.

Adult Stage of Butterfly – Stage 4

After completion of the pupa stage, the butterfly eclosion happens and the butterfly forms. The adult butterfly must expand and dry its wings so as to take its first flight. Once the butterfly develops its wings, it flies in search for nectar from flowers, mates, and places to lay eggs, which restarts a new cycle.

In brief the stages are:

Butterflies play a crucial role in the ecosystem by following ways-

• Pollination : Butterflies are one of the important pollinators. When they feed on flower nectar and transfer pollen grains from one plant to the other, facilitating reproduction in plants.
• Acts as indicators of environmental health: They grown in a health ecosystem that signifies the health and diversity supporting various invertebrates in the ecosystem.
• Model organisms: Butterflies are used by researchers as model organisms to study implications of loss of habitat, its fragmentation, and effect of climate change on the ecosystem.

Many factors are responsible that affect lifecycle of a butterfly. Some of the main factors are mentioned below-

• Environmental factors such as rainfall, temperature, and humiditymay impact developmental phases.
• Avaliability of the plant so as to facilitate egg laying, hatching and larval feeding.
• There may be threats from insects, and other predators.
• The disruption of the natural habitat or habitat fragmentation affects the butterfly population.
• Climate change or global warming affects the phenology and geographical distribution patterns.
• Anthroprogenic activities such as pesticides, habitat, weather, temperature and pollution affects the population of butterflies.

Life cycle of butterfly helps us in better understanding how butterflies tranform from an egg with description of each stage. Life cycle of butterfly represents distinct set of adaptations and transformation stages. Learning the developmental cycle provides useful insights about an orgnism with the nature. Understanding the lifecycle of an insect and by knowing the important role that its plays in the ecosystem, we can conserve and protect their habitats to maintain their diversity and ecological balance.

Also Read: Difference Between Butterfly and Caterpillar Life Cycle of Dragon Fly: Diagram, & Stages Honey Bee Life Cycle

What is the First Stage of the Life Cycle of a Butterfly?

The first stage of a butterfly’s life cycle is the egg stage, where a female butterfly lays eggs on suitable host plants. These eggs hatch into caterpillars, initiating the fascinating journey of metamorphosis.

What are the Environmental Factors Influencing Life Cycle of Butterfly?

Temperature, humidity, geography and rainfall, play an important role growth and developement of a butterfly. To protect their habitat, we need to make sure to keep the conditions optimal for their survival.

Why are Host Plants so Important for Butterflies?

Plants serve as a feeding source or food for larva. They are important sites for the butterflies to lay eggs can carry out reproduction. Hence, availability of suitable host plants affects reproductive success of butterflies.

How does Habitat Disrruption Affects Butterfly Population?

Destruction of the natural habitat makes it difficult for butterflies to find breeding niche and foraging. This may lead to loss of genetic diversity, population isolation, and higher susceptibility to environmental changes.

Where can I Find the Life Cycle of Butterfly Diagram?

The diagram of life cycle of butterfly is given at the top of the article.

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World Butterfly Day – 28 May 2024

Urednik 27. May 2024. Expert service news , News , News , Expert service news

Butterflies, a particularly interesting group of insects, are very common in the Plitvice Lakes National Park. It is important to take notice of these animals, to learn about them and to experience their diversity as we meet them in mountain meadows, at the edges and firebreaks of forests, on rocky terrain and near bodies of water. Even though butterflies are extremely useful pollinators, their larvae often cause damage in agriculture and forestry, which is why many butterfly species are at risk from destruction. The butterfly superfamily includes butterflies, active during the day or diurnal, and moths, active during the night or nocturnal. Even though diurnal butterflies evolved later than moths, they were always a little bit more popular with researchers and explorers due to their colourful wings. During its life cycle, a butterfly undergoes a complete transformation: a metamorphosis or holometaboly. First, the female lays her fertilised eggs on an oviposition plant, a plant that an insect uses to lay its eggs on, which is most often also the food plant. Soon, the formed embryos hatch from their eggs as fully formed larvae and feed and grow on the food plant. After a while they pupate or form a chrysalis, and slowly transform into an adult butterfly (imago stage). Butterflies have two pairs of wings covered with thick and scaly hairs. Sexual dimorphism is very common in butterflies and the males and females of many butterfly species are different in colour and body shape. Birds are the most common predators preying on butterflies, while for moths the number one predator is the bat.

At Plitvice Lakes National Park, only around 90 butterfly species and 350 moth species have been recorded so far.  On the other hand, in Croatia, 197 butterfly species and over 3000 moth species have been recorded so far. We expect to record new species at the Park, especially new moth species. Under the Nature Protection Act, the following butterfly species are protected in Croatia: the Swallowtail ( Papilio machaon ), the Scarce Swallowtail ( Iphiclides podalirius ), the Apollo ( Parnassius apollo ), the Purple Emperor ( Apatura iris ), the Lesser Purple Emperor ( Apatura ilia ), and the Poplar Admiral ( Limenitis populi ). All of these species, except for the Apollo, were recorded in the Plitvice Lakes National Park. Two more species are important for the Plitvice Lakes: the Marsh Fritillary ( Euphydras aurinia ) and the Jersey Tiger ( Euplagia quadripunctaria ), both closely monitored as Natura 2000 species.

Interestingly, out of the five Large Blue species living in Croatia, three can be found in the Plitvice Lakes National Park: the Large Blue ( Phengaris arion), the Alcon Blue( Phengaris alcon alcon ),and the Mountain Alcon Blue( Phengaris alcon rebeli ). The species of the Eurasian genus of Large Blues have specific life cycles and low colonisation potential, they live in closed populations and are distributed locally, all of which makes them particularly sensitive. All of the Large Blue species are rare and endangered due to loss of habitat because of inappropriate human activities.

The Alcon Blue ( Phengaris alcon alcon ) is one of the rarest butterflies in Europe. Despite its name, only the male is blue, while the female is brown and much less noticeable. The Alcon Blue lives in wet meadows, in a close coexistence with ants and the plant the Marsh Gentian. This species deserves special care and protection. From mid-July to the second half of August, the Alcon Blue can be seen flying over the wet meadows of our Park and laying its eggs on the Marsh Gentian ( Gentiana pneumonanthe ) plant. The eggs hatch into small larvae, which then feed and stay inside the Marsh Gentian flower bud for some time. After about three weeks, the larvae, now strong enough, use a thin silk thread that they have made to descend to the ground, near an anthill which is home to the Myrmica genus ants. The larvae release a fragrant juice which attracts the ants and makes them carry the larvae into their anthills and take care of them. The larvae then spend between seven and eight months in the anthills and in the spring they pupate (form a chrysalis) near the exit from the anthill. In the summer, when the Marsh Gentian blooms in the early hours of the morning, beautiful blue-winged butterflies emerge from the anthills and begin looking for the plant they will lay their fertilised eggs on. One of the largest populations of the Alcon Blue in Europe was recorded right here, in the Plitvice Lakes National Park. In fact, it was precisely in the Plitvice Lakes National Park where this species was first recorded in Croatia, in 2004. The Alcon Blue was later also recorded by the Injatica stream near Grubišno Polje and in the Papuk Nature Park. In order to preserve this species, a special mowing regime must be adhered to: the meadows which are home to this butterfly should not be mowed earlier than September, when the larvae are already inside the anthills.

Find out more about the magical Alcon Blue and its fascinating life cycle in this short animated film:

Butterflies have always inspired the imagination of both children and adults alike, playing the central role in many stories, folk tales, legends and even superstitions. World Butterfly Day is celebrated each 28 May. The purpose of World Butterfly Day is to raise awareness of the importance of protection and conservation of these striking insects. Keep them safe, keep their food plants and their habitats safe.

Author of the text and photos: Krešimir Čulinović , Head of Presentation and Interpretation Section

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