Metamorphosis
The life cycle of butterflies and moths is truly a remarkable progress of life. They start life as a tiny egg and transform into the beautiful flying creatures that we enjoy at the Butterfly Gardens. Learn more about the Metamorphosis process from information from our Education committee below.
Step 1: The Egg
Like most biology, the butterfly life cycle starts with an egg. The female butterfly lies eggs on various plants, many of which are easy to miss because the eggs are so small. The eggs are laid on plants so that the new hatchling has something to eat when it leaves the egg. Click on the photo to the right to see eggs that were observed in our Garden!
Step 2: The Caterpillar
Besides the actual butterfly, this is the easiest stage for us to view the butterfly life cycle. This is the stage that most of us humans can identify with because all that happens in this stage is eating! Sounds good, right? During this phase, the butterfly-in-training splits and sheds it’s skin as it grows. The food that is eaten will be used throughout the next two stages of life.
Stage 3: The Chrysalis
Once the caterpillar is so full and can’t eat any more food, it is time to begin the physical process of becoming a butterfly. Also called a “pupa”, this stage is also sometimes called a “cocoon”. Depending on the butterfly, this stage can last weeks or months, or even longer! We can’t see what is happening inside the chrysalis, but rest assured: eyes, wings, legs, and other parts of the butterfly are coming into shape.
Stage 4: The Butterfly!
The transformation is complete! The caterpillar emerges from the chrysalis as a fully functioning butterfly. In this stage of its life, the butterfly only has one job: To mate and lay eggs. This life cycle also varies by butterfly species, but only lasts weeks or months. Come out to the garden to enjoy their beauty!
VillageWalk Garden Club of Bonita Springs 