Day 1: Courting & Mating:
The male chases and intoxicates the female with his scent (pheromones) until she is ready to mate. Mating can last for several hours!
Day 2-9:
The Eggs or Ova: The butterfly lays hundreds of eggs but only 5% will survive.
Day 10-28:
The Caterpillar or Larva: The caterpillar hatches and spends most of its time eating! It can increase its weight 100 times in a few weeks.
Day 29-42:
The Chrysalis or Pupa: Inside the chrysalis the caterpillar first turns into a lumpy liquid, before new body parts are formed to create a butterfly.
This change is known as metamorphosis.
Day 43:
Emergence: The butterfly breaks through the chrysalis shell. Its wings are crumpled and wet. Blood is pumped into its veins, straightening them out.
The butterfly dries its wings in the sun.
Day 44-72:
Butterfly is ready to find a mate.
