Metamorphosis: The Life Cycle of Butterflies

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Metamorphosis The Life Cycle of Butterflies

• eggs are first stage
• They are tiny, sometimes microscopic
• Laid on the underside of host plant leaves
• Hatching is predetermined by time eggs are laid

Mr. HguyensBiology Class
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Caterpillars

• the feeding stage
• Minute, some virtually invisible to naked eye
• Coloration of caterpillar is quite diverse
• Job of caterpillar is to eat, eat, eat
• Caterpillars must shed skin several times, each
  shedding is called an instar
• Can multiply in size more than a thousand fold
• When final instar occurs, pupa emerges

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PUPA

• the transition stage
• Transformation in pupa stage is miraculous
• What emerges in no way resembles the caterpillar
• Complete disassembly of the cells and
  reassembling of cells into new form
• The butterfly emerges from this stage

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Adult Butterfly

• the reproductive stage
• Upon emerging, the swollen body pumps fluid into
  tiny shrived up wings
• Within a few hours, wings are full sized, dried,
  and become more rigid
• Butterflies are ready to take flight
• The job of the adult is to mate and lay eggs
• Most live only one or two weeks