This book is dedicated to Mrs. Wood thank you for showing us this website. 

 Grade Level Expectation:

1. Organisms have unique and diverse life cycles.

https://www.cde.state.co.us/apps/standards/7,5,16

Grade, Standard 2. Life Science Third Grade,

Caterpillar eggs are laid on plants by female butterflies. These plants will become the food for the caterpillars to eat. Eggs can be laid in spring, summer, or fall. These eggs are very small. 

Egg

Caterpillar: The Feeding Stage

During the feeding stage, the caterpillar can also be called a larva. The caterpillar will eat plant matter, leaves, fruits, or                                  vegetables. As the caterpillar grows, it sheds                                its skin 4-5 times. Food eaten at this time                                     will be stored in their bodies and used                                           later as an adult. Caterpillars can grow                                         100 times their size during this stage. 

        The Pupa stage

    Once a caterpillar is fully grown it will stop eating and form into a pupa. The pupa is also called a chrysalis. The caterpillar transforms into a shell like covering. Butterflies often form their cocoons on leafs or branches.    

    Metamorphosis

    While in the chrysalis the caterpillar undergoes metamorphosis (it's changing). The butterfly begins to form within the chrysalis. During this metamorphic phase the parts of the butterfly are beginning to form. This process consumes so much energy, therefore the pupa losses more than half of its beginning weight. The time a butterfly stays in the pupa stage is between 1-3 weeks.

Final Stage: Adulthood

Butterflies in this stage emerge from their chrysalis, leave it behind and try out their new wings by flying. 

Another important thing that happens at this stage is that most butterflies are looking for mates or companions, and its crucial timing because most butterfly species only live for less than a month. 

Final Stage: Adulthood Continued...

larva- a young insect that will change into something else in adulthood. 

plant matter- any part that can be removed from a living plant such as branches, leaves, stalks, brush, and weeds.

Chrysalis/Pupa- hard outer case, a transitional stage that protects the caterpillar as it turns into an adult. 

Metamorphosis-   a process some animals go through to become adults, it is a series of physical changes.

                    Glossary

                                                                Sources   

- Butterfly Life Cycle Stages | Butterfly Metamorphosis | The Butterfly Website. (n.d.). https://butterflywebsite.com/articles/lifecycle/butterfly-life-cycle.cfm

    -“The Life Cycle of a Butterfly: AMNH.” American Museum of Natural History, https://www.amnh.org/explore/news-blogs/on-exhibit-posts/butterfly-life-cycle#:~:text=Stage%204%3A%20Adulthood,for%20less%20than%20a%20month. 

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