An explanation of the butterfly life cycle, with pictures and facts.

Introduction

Butterflies aren’t born as the large-winged, brightly-colored insects we see in our gardens and parks. Instead, the life cycle of a butterfly involves four separate stages, during which the bodies of these familiar insects undergo a remarkable change known as metamorphosis.

Although many insects have the same four-stage life cycle as butterflies, the emergence of an adult butterfly from its chrysalis is one of the most spectacular examples of this process.

(Further down the page we compare the life cycle of a butterfly with that of other insect groups.)

Page Contents

• Life Cycle Of A Butterfly
• The Stages Of The Butterfly Life Cycle In Detail
• Eggs
• Larvae
• Pupae
• Imago
• Complete Metamorphosis (Holometabolism)
• Do All Butterflies Have The Same Life Cycle?
• Butterfly vs Moth Life Cycle
• Incomplete

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