1. MR. HGUYEN MARCH 15, 2010 Life Cycle of a Butterfly - Metamorphosis -

2. Metamorphosis – Life Cycle of Butterflies Eggs are first stage  They are tiny, sometimes microscopic Laid on the underside of host plant leaves Hatching predetermined by time eggs are laid

3. Caterpillars – the feeding stage Minute, some virtually invisible to naked eye Coloration of caterpillar is quite diverse Job of caterpillar is to eat, eat, eat Caterpillars must shed skin several times, each shedding called an instar Can multiply in size more than a thousand fold When final instar occurs, pupa emerges

4. Pupa - the transition stage Transformation in pupa stage is miraculous What emerges in no way resembles the caterpillar Complete disassembly of the cells and reassembling of cells into new form The butterfly emerges from this stage

5. Adult Butterfly – the reproductive stage Upon emerging, the swollen body pumps fluid into tiny shrived up wings Within a few hours, wings are full sized, dried, and become more rigid Butterflies are ready to take flight The job of the adult is to mate and lay eggs Most live only one or two weeks

6. Attributions All photographs courtesy of The Academy of Natural Sciences http://www.ansp.org/museum/butterflies/life_cycle.php