Butterfly Eggs

As part of the butterflies life cycle, after mating the female butterfly lays her eggs on or very near to the food plant on which the larva feeds.

The eggs are usually laid on a particular part of the plant, e.g., on the leaves, flower heads, or in crevices on the bark. Usually they are laid on the underside of the leaf where they are protected from bad weather and predators.

During her life a female can lay between several dozen and several hundred butterfly eggs. They may be laid singly, in clusters or in large masses several layers deep. Some butterflies though, are known to scatter their eggs at random as they fly over grassland.

The shape of butterfly eggs can vary greatly from family to family, but most are pale yellow or green in colour, although the colour can darken before hatching. Just before hatching the young larva can sometimes be seen curled up inside the transparent eggshell. After hatching the young caterpillar often eats the eggshell that contains valuable nutrients needed for healthy development.

During your visit to Otters and Butterflies look out for notices indicating where to look for butterfly eggs yourself.