The four stages of a butterfly
A butterfly changes shape completely as it grows, in four stages: egg, caterpillar (larva), chrysalis (pupa) and adult butterfly. This amazing change is called metamorphosis, and following it stage by stage helps kids understand how living things grow and change.
What is metamorphosis?
Metamorphosis is a big change in body shape as an animal grows up. Inside the chrysalis, the caterpillar's body is rebuilt into a butterfly with wings. Frogs go through a similar change from tadpole to frog. It is one of the most surprising things in nature.
Frequently asked questions
What are the stages of the butterfly life cycle?
There are four stages: egg, caterpillar (larva), chrysalis (pupa) and adult butterfly. After the butterfly lays eggs, the cycle starts all over again.
What is a chrysalis?
A chrysalis is the hard case the caterpillar makes around itself. Inside, its body changes completely and turns into a butterfly. This stage is also called the pupa.
What is metamorphosis?
Metamorphosis is the complete change in body shape that a butterfly goes through as it grows from an egg into an adult. The caterpillar's body is rebuilt into a winged butterfly inside the chrysalis.