* The life cycle of a butterfly begins with an egg.
* Female butterflies lay eggs on leaves or stems of plants that their caterpillars will eat.
* The eggs are very small and round, and they are often covered in tiny hairs or scales.
* The eggs hatch into caterpillars after a few days to a few weeks, depending on the species of butterfly.
Stage 2: Caterpillar
* The caterpillar is the larva of the butterfly.
* Caterpillars are voracious eaters, and they spend most of their time eating leaves.
* They grow rapidly, and they shed their skin several times as they grow.
* After about 2-4 weeks, the caterpillar is fully grown.
Stage 3: Chrysalis
* When the caterpillar is fully grown, it spins a cocoon around itself.
* The cocoon is made of silk, which is produced by the caterpillar's salivary glands.
* The caterpillar then changes into a pupa, or chrysalis.
* Inside the chrysalis, the caterpillar's body undergoes a dramatic transformation.
Stage 4: Butterfly
* After about 2-4 weeks, the butterfly emerges from the chrysalis.
* The butterfly's wings are soft and crumpled at first, but they quickly dry and harden in the sun.
* The butterfly then flies off to find food and a mate.
The Adult Butterfly
* Adult butterflies feed on nectar from flowers.
* They use their long tongues to reach the nectar.
* Butterflies are also important pollinators, transferring pollen from one flower to another.
* Butterflies live for about 2-3 weeks in the wild.