Life Cycle of the Butterfly
The Miracle of Metamorphosis
The average life span of a butterfly is about fourteen days. A few species
can live longer depending on their diet. Some feast on such things as rotting
fruit,
pollen, animal dung and even decaying carcass.
Butterflies are tropical and non-tropical. Non-tropical butterflies spend
several months of the year in “hibernation” at different stages of their
life cycles also depending on species.
Many people do not understand the differences between butterflies and moths.
They are similar, however basic differences do exist. Butterflies are day
flying creatures. Some moths may fly during the daytime too, but the majority
fly
at night. Butterfly caterpillars are very fussy about the plants that they
eat,
usually only one or two types. Moth caterpillars generally eat a variety
of plants. Butterflies usually rest with wings folded above the body with
wings
perpendicular
to the ground. Moths usually rest with their wings folded along their bodies.
Lastly, butterfly antennae are clubbed at the end and moth antennae are pointed
or even feathered.
A butterfly’s life begins with the courtship and mating rituals. Mating
may take just a few minutes or may last as long as 48 hours. Because caterpillars
are very fussy about what they will eat, the female must identify the correct
plant on which to lay her eggs. This is done by “smelling” using
special sensors on her feet and antennae. Eggs are deposited on the underside
of a leaf to protect them from rain and direct sunlight. After a few days up
to a week, the eggs change color, becoming darker. Just before hatching, the
head of the caterpillars becomes visible. After chewing a hole in the eggshell
and climbing out, the baby then eats the eggshell, which is full of important
nutrients.
From the beginning, caterpillars (larvae) are eating machines. They start
with the new plant growth because it contains less plants toxins. As they
become
older, these toxins do not affect them. As the larvae grow, it must shed
its skin several
times. The new skin is frequently a different color and pattern. Most species
have 5 to 6 changes before reaching full size. When fully grown, the caterpillar
will often wander several yards before finding a place to pupate. It first
spins a small silk pad to which it attaches its tail. After suspending
itself upside
down, it sheds the last caterpillar skin and becomes a pupa.
The pupal stage is when the butterfly is most vulnerable; most pupae (pupa,
chrysalis or cocoon) are very well camouflaged. Inside many amazing physiological
changes,
take place transforming the lowly caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly.
Adults emerge when the pupa case bursts and the butterfly quickly crawls
out. At first, the wings are very wrinkled and tiny, but within a few
minutes, they
inflate as the butterfly quickly pumps blood through the veins. A special
enzyme is then released which causes the fluid in the wings to harden.
After about
30 minutes, the butterfly is ready to take its first flight, and the
miracle is
complete.