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, but most are pale yellow or green. 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.
Caterpillars or larvae are the main feeding stage of the life cycle of butterflies and moths. They have been described as food processing machines with their main functions being eating and growing.
Caterpillars are the long, worm-like stage of the butterfly or moth. They often have an interesting pattern of stripes or patches, and they may have spine-like hairs. As they grow, it sheds its skin four or more times so as to enclose it’s rapidly growing body.
The chrysalis (or pupa) is the transformation stage within which the caterpillar tissues are broken down and the adult insect's structures are formed. Many species over-winter in this stage.
The pupa does not move, eat or drink and since it is immobile, it is particularly vulnerable to all attacks from a variety of predators,
Butterfly chrysalides’ usually show cryptic coloration or disruptive patterns, which afford some protection during a butterfly’s life cycle from predators at this vulnerable stage.
stage 4
The adult (or imago) is the colourful butterfly or moth usually seen. It is the reproductive and mobile stage for the species. The adults undergo courtship, mating, and egg-laying. The adult butterfly or moth is also the stage that migrates or colonises new habitats.
