From Caterpillar To Cocoon To Beautiful Butterfly

How does a caterpillar become a butterfly? Scientific American explains that: 'As children, many of us learn about the wondrous process by which a caterpillar morphs into a butterfly. The story usually begins with a very hungry caterpillar hatching from an egg. The caterpillar, or what is more scientifically termed a larva, stuffs itself with leaves, growing plumper and longer through a series of molts in which it sheds its skin. One day, the caterpillar stops eating, hangs upside down from a twig or leaf and spins itself a silky cocoon or molts into a shiny chrysalis. Within its protective casing, the caterpillar radically transforms its body, eventually emerging as a butterfly or moth.'

Pretty amazing right? Science is so cool! We find it absolutely mind boggling that butterflies were once caterpillars, the only difference is that caterpillars have not been through the scientific process that makes them butterflies. It's all a matter of time, and science! Learn more here.

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'To become a butterfly, a caterpillar first digests itself. But certain groups of cells survive, turning the soup into eyes, wings, antennae and other adult structures.' Whaaaaaat. This science stuff is pretty crazy. Check out this butterfly bouncing around inside of its cocoon, he's ready to pop!
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The undisturbed cocoon, preparing for butterfly evacuation!
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