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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!
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Day 2-9:
The Eggs or Ova: The butterfly lays hundreds of eggs but only 5% will survive.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Day 44-72:
Butterfly is ready to find a mate.
