ASA SEEN IN THIS KALEIDOCYCLE
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.
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 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 chrysalis
Once fully grown, the caterpillar forms itself into a 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 chrysalis stage may last a few weeks to several months depending on the species. During this time, a hardened case forms around the chrysalis 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 chrysalis 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 of flowers to feed on and for other butterflies to mate with.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpxkTPxdaHE
Ignacio Negrette, Step 9 Blue
