Butterfly and Moth Life Cycle Butterfly and Moth Life Cycle
Mar 16, 2016
Butter�y and Moth
Life Cycle
Butter�y and Moth
Life Cycle
4. AdultWhen the pupa has �nished changing, it molts
one last time and emerges as an adult butter�y
or moth. The adult
emerges with its
wings folded up
against its body. The
butter�y or moth
pumps blood into the
wings to expand them
. The adult is the stage when butter�ies and moths
mate and reproduce. Females lay their eggs on
plants or other surfaces, and the cycle starts all
over again.
3. Pupa
When a caterpillar has �nished growing, it forms a pupa. From the
outside, the pupa looks as if it's resting. But inside, every part of the
caterpillar is changing. Most of its organs and other body parts
dissolve and re-form into the organs, tissues, limbs and wings
of the adult. Butter�y pupae are called chrysalises. Many moth caterpillars spin cocoons
and form pupae inside them.
2. Larva
The larva hatches from the egg. Butter�y and moth larvae are usually
called caterpillars. Caterpillars spend most of their time eating. Butter�ies
and moths do all of their growing when they're caterpillars, and food
gives them the energy and body-building materials they need. A
caterpillar's exoskeleton can't stretch or grow, so the caterpillar sheds its skin, or molts, several times as it grows.
1. EggThe egg is the �rst stage in the butter�y and moth life
cycle. Butter�y and moth eggs are very
small and round, oval or cylindrical. Many
have ribs or other tiny features. Females
lay their eggs on or near the plants that
will later become caterpillar food.