The Butterfly Life Cycle

1
The Butterfly Life Cycle

• By Alyssa

2
Introduction

• Hello, my name is Alyssa. Im going to tell
  you all about the life cycle of a butterfly.
  There are 4 stages in the life cycle. They are
  called the egg stage, the caterpillar stage, the
  chrysalis stage, and the last stage is the
  butterfly stage. And now here they are!

3
First stage egg

• The first stage of the life cycle is the egg
  stage. The female butterfly lays her eggs on
  plants that the caterpillars like to eat, such as
  thistle or milkweed. Often she lays her eggs on
  the underside of the leaf. The eggs can be
  yellow, green, or white in color. The eggs are
  also the size of a pin-head. The eggs are made of
  a thin shell that has raised ribs. They can be
  spheres, ovals, or pod shaped. The stage lasts
  for 3 to 5 days tops. When the caterpillar
  hatches from the egg, the shell is its first
  meal. Some butterflies lay their eggs one at a
  time. Other butterflies lay their eggs in small
  groups, but some other butterflies lay hundreds
  of eggs at once.

4
Second stage caterpillar

• The second stage of the monarch life cycle is
  the caterpillar stage. The stage lasts for about
  5 to 10 days. Caterpillars are always very
  hungry, really all they ever do is eat all day
  and night. When they eat they grow very quickly.
  Caterpillars grow by shedding their skin which is
  called molting. Caterpillars molt for about 4 to
  6 times before they are full grown caterpillars
  which is 2 inches long.

5
Third stage chrysalis

• The third stage of the life cycle is the
  chrysalis stage. When the caterpillar is full
  grown, it will put itself into a J-shape. Once
  its in that shape, the caterpillar will change
  in to a chrysalis.This is when it begins to
  metamorphosis Which means that the caterpillar
  will change its form. The chrysalis is held to a
  twig by silk which the caterpillar makes. Inside
  the chrysalis the caterpillars cells break down
  into a weird goo except for a few which tell the
  other gooey cells what to form and they form
  a. Butterfly!

6
Fourth stage butterfly

• The last stage is the butterfly stage. After
  the caterpillar goes through metamorphosis in the
  chrysalis. A butterfly will come out. First of
  all its abdomen is very big. This is because the
  abdomen has all the fluid which needs to go up
  to the wings but when it first comes out of the
  chrysalis its wings are all crumpled up. Once
  its wings are pumped with fluid it will be on
  its way!

7
Conclusion

• Ive just described all the 4 stages the
  butterfly goes through, egg, caterpillar,
  chrysalis, and butterfly. I really enjoyed
  learning about the butterfly life cycle, and I
  hope you enjoyed it too.