All About Butterfly Life Cycle

By Author: Vikram Kumar
Total Articles: 9694
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Butterfly is a type of insect that is very attractive for many because of its beautiful colors, interesting habitat and their amazing life cycle. Butterfly life cycle is the most explained natural phenomenon to kids in their science subject. The life cycle of a butterfly is easy to understand without the need for too much set up. Just like other insects, they go through several stages and it is base in a theory.

Actually, there are four stages in the life cycle of a butterfly such as egg, caterpillar, pupa and the butterfly stage. Every stage is different from the other and you will surely see great difference in its physical appearance. The stage wherein egg undergo diverse phase is also known as metamorphosis. Butterfly eggs are very tiny and round in shape. They are laid on a host plant where caterpillar can feed on in order to survive. The butterfly remains on its egg from 6 to 7 days. Part of butterfly life cycle is caterpillar stage when larvae crawl out of its egg to begin feeding on the host plant.

The caterpillar has stripes but some only has one color and its body is hairy. Once it is fully grown into ...
... a caterpillar, then it will develop 6 legs and several prolegs. This is the phase when they do most of the feeding before it reaches the butterfly stage. Caterpillar needs its host plant for feeding and it will eat the entire plant. It will undergo the moulting stage when their outer skin is shed. During this stage, they will undergo several moulting stage because of its rapid growth. This is an important part of the butterfly life cycle.

There is a certain stage wherein it will turn into pupa which is known as their dormant stage. This is when they will create a cocoon that will wrap around its body and it will attach to the stem of the plant with the use of a very strong silk to prevent it from falling. Pupa is also colorful, but it will remain dormant in the entire stage because this is when the development into a butterfly starts. This is the phase when the wings, antenna, and the body of the butterfly will start to form. It will not fall even when subjected to strong wind and rain.

The last stage is the butterfly that will emerge right after being a pupa. The covering will break open and a beautiful butterfly will come out with its fluttering wings. This is the reason why many people and children likes having a butterfly pet, but they can also choose ladybug as pet and see ladybug pictures in case you do not have any idea of what it looks like. Ladybug is very attractive to kids because of its color. You can look for several ladybug pictures online and find out a reputable online pet store where you can buy a good kit. When it reaches the butterfly stage, then you can allow them to fly freely so they can fulfill their duty to mate and continue the cycle to produce another beautiful butterfly.

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Learning butterfly life cycle is easy especially for kids and it is very educational, it is better if you will research for butterfly and ladybug pictures to encourage your kids.