Metamorphosis

Butterflies Moths

Mrs. O’Hara’s Second Grade Lincoln School

2004

Life Cycle

The eggs are laid on the underside of the leaf to protect them from enemies.-Amanda

The Egg Stage

Larva are immature insects that are wingless and often worm like (caterpillar).-Nick

The Larva Stage

The larva forms a cocoon or chrysalis and goes through metamorphosis. -Hampton

The Pupa Stage

The final stage of the life cycle. The pupa is now a butterfly or moth.-Alex

The Adult Stage

This life cycle may take 25 days a year, depending on the type of butterfly or moth.-Senneca

The Life Cycle

Caterpillar Facts

Butterfly caterpillars may look hairy. Moth caterpillars may be smooth.-Justin

Hairy or Smooth

The female butteries and moths lay their eggs on a plant that their young like to eat. The caterpillar eats its shell when it hatches to get energy. Then it eats the leaf.-Mercadies

Eggs

A caterpillar is the second stage of the life cycle of a butterfly. It is called the larva stage.-Emilee

2nd Stage

Butterfly and moth caterpillars have 14 body segments. They have six true legs and eight false legs that are sucker feet.-Michael

Caterpillar Body Parts

A caterpillar outgrows its skin and sheds its skin many times as it grows.-Ron

Sheds Skin

Body Parts

Butterflies have a head, thorax where the legs are attached, and a segmented abdomen.-Corby

Three Body Parts

Butterflies have a tube-like mouth that curls up when they are not sipping nectar.-Dalton

Proboscis

The eyes are made up of thousands of lenses.-Enya

Eyes

Butterfly antennae always have knobs. They are used for smelling.-Jesse

Antenna

Butterfly wings are covered with colorful scales. When resting, the wings are closed.-Hailey

Wings

Parts of a Moth

Moths have only two body parts and six legs. They taste with their legs.-Allie

Body Parts

Moths also have a proboscis used for sipping nectar.-DeAnthony

Mouth

Moth wings are covered with dull covered scales. The wings are open when resting.-Keanu

Wings

Moths also have compound eyes.-Kaitlynn

Eyes

Moth antennae are either plain or feathered, but without knobs. They are used for smelling.-Chase

Antenna

Kinds of Butterflies and Moths

The cabbage butterfly is found nearly everywhere. Its caterpillars eat cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and other crops.-Terri

Cabbage Butterfly

Tiger moths have broad hairy bodies. Birds don’t eat them because they have an unpleasant taste. The caterpillars are known as woollybears.-Be’Andre

Tiger Moth

Painted ladies can be seen anywhere in the world. They sometimes travel in swarms looking for food, nectar from thistle and zinnia flowers. They are strong fliers.-Caitlin

Painted Lady Butterfly

Swallowtail butterflies have a tail on the hind wing, like the swallow bird. The yellow and black striped tiger swallowtail is seen in North America.-Ben

Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly

Monarch butterflies migrate to Mexico, Florida, and southern California. Monarchs taste awful because the caterpillars eat milkweed.-Jadenn

Monarch Butterflies

Morpho butterflies live in rain forests of Central and South America. Only the males are a brilliant blue. The females are much plainer.-Rachel

Morpho Butterfly