How Does a Caterpillar Turn into a Butterfly?

Caterpillars turn themselves into butterflies by creating a cocoon to hold their bodies and then releasing enzymes to dissolve most of their body parts into a protein-rich mush. The only things not dissolved are collections of cells called imaginal discs, which then develop into the different body parts of an adult butterfly. The surrounding protein mush is used to help the cells in the imaginal discs reproduce quickly, growing in some cases by 1,000 times during the time the caterpillar is in a chrysalis (i.e., the life stage where a caterpillar turns into a butterfly).

More about caterpillars:

  • The smallest types of caterpillars are about 0.04 in (1 mm) long.

  • Lonomia achelous caterpillars are so toxic that touching several of them at once can cause massive, fatal hemorrhaging.

  • Several types of caterpillars and moths are carnivores. Liphyra brassolis caterpillars eat ants, and several Hawaiian species trap snails in webs of silk fibers like spiders and eat them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the process called when a caterpillar turns into a butterfly?

The transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly is known as metamorphosis. This complex biological process involves a complete change in form and structure, which occurs in distinct stages: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and adult (butterfly). During metamorphosis, the caterpillar's body undergoes significant reorganization to emerge as a winged adult.

How long does the metamorphosis process take?

The duration of metamorphosis varies among butterfly species, but it generally takes about two weeks to several months. For example, the Monarch butterfly's pupal stage lasts approximately 10 to 14 days before it emerges as an adult butterfly. Environmental factors such as temperature can also influence the length of the metamorphosis process.

What happens inside the chrysalis?

Inside the chrysalis, the caterpillar's body breaks down into a soupy mixture of cells. These cells, called imaginal discs, then differentiate and reorganize to form the structures of the adult butterfly, such as wings, antennae, and legs. This remarkable transformation is driven by hormones and genetic instructions encoded within the caterpillar's DNA.

Do caterpillars eat during the pupal stage?

No, caterpillars do not eat during the pupal stage. Before entering this stage, they consume large amounts of food to store energy. Once they form the chrysalis, they rely on these energy reserves to fuel the metamorphosis process. The adult butterfly will not eat until it emerges and its proboscis is fully formed.

Can a butterfly remember being a caterpillar?

Research suggests that butterflies may retain some memories from their caterpillar stage. According to a study published in the journal PLOS ONE, butterflies can remember training they received as caterpillars. This indicates that despite the drastic changes during metamorphosis, some continuity of memory exists across the transformation.

Is it possible to see the butterfly forming inside the chrysalis?

In some species, it is possible to observe the butterfly's development within the chrysalis, especially as it nears the end of the pupal stage. The chrysalis may become transparent or translucent, allowing one to see the color and shape of the wings. However, the visibility of these changes depends on the species and the chrysalis's opacity.

More Info: www.scientificamerican.com

Discussion Comments

bluefire

To anon332661: Thinking that evolution is just a theory is your first mistake. A scientific theory, as scientists mean it, is the closest thing to fact that can be had. In common, everyday parlance, the word "theory" is used to mean hypothesis. But in science, "theory" means much more.

The first thing to know is that there are two parts of evolutionary theory. The first part is the fact that evolution has happened and continues to happen. We have observed it in action, and have no reason to think it won't continue to happen. This first part is not debated by scientists.

The second part of evolutionary theory is in the details of exactly how it happened/happens. This is the part that is debated and subject to revision pending further evidence and research.

Evolutionary theory is as much a fact as the fact that gravity operates everywhere we know of. The theory of gravity would also be "just a theory" in your thinking. But you can try proving it wrong by jumping out of a 20 story building!

Like evolution, gravity is a scientific theory also. The first part is that gravity is a fact and not seriously debatable. The second part is exactly how it works, what causes it, etc. This second part is still developing and debatable and will continue to be refined according to further research.

Like gravity, evolution can be proved false by one single example that contradicts the theory. So far, there are absolutely no examples that contradict either theory. But Einstein's theory of relativity (special and general, includes gravity) has withstood every test that has ever been devised. The same is true of evolution.

Since life on Earth began several hundred million years ago, I think this is plenty of time for complex life to evolve. But yes, a caterpillar turning into a butterfly is quite amazing. However, there is no mystery as to this process being something that evolved through mutations, natural selection, and gene expression mechanisms.

anon332938

I am a pragmatist, and creationists are not my friends.

What irks me is that they present their flawed stories to our precious children in their early years of education, and it seems they cannot be stopped! Then our children grow up with a warped view of reality and nature, and the acidic creationist drivel dissolves precious minds into mush with no value or recourse.

Creationists are basically dreamers and story-tellers digging in the dirt of bygone ages, hoping somehow to justify their existence.

anon332694

I am a pragmatist, and evolutionists are not my friends. Metamorphosis is a case in point.

Our solar system and earth are nowhere near old enough to support this utterly amazing and dumbfounding process using the "theory" of evolution. (Remember boys and girls, evolution is still just a theory!)

The fact that there are so many species of insects around our magnificent globe that use variations of this process, should drive evolutionists crazy attempting to present a plausible explanation for it. I have yet to find one who will/has. (They could lose their research funding?)

What irks me is that they present their flawed stories to our precious children in their early years of education, and it seems they cannot be stopped! Then our children grow up with a warped view of reality and nature, and the acidic evolutionary drivel dissolves precious minds into mush with no value or recourse.

Evolutionists are basically dreamers and story-tellers digging in the dirt of bygone ages, hoping somehow to justify their existence.

anon332661

I am a Pragmatist and Evolutionists are not my friends. Metamorphosis is a case in point.

Our Solar System and Earth are no where near old enough to support this utterly amazing and dumbfounding process using the "theory" of evolution. (Remember boys and girls, evolution is still just a theory!)

The fact that there are so many species of insects around our magnificent globe that use variations of this process, should drive evolutionists crazy attempting to present a plausible explanation for it. I have yet to find one who will/has. (They could lose their research funding?)

What irks me, is that they present their flawed stories to our precious children in their early years of education, and it seems they cannot be stopped! Then our children grow up with a warped view of reality and nature, and the acidic evolutionary drivel dissolves precious minds into mush with no value or recourse.

Evolutionists are basically dreamers and story-tellers digging in the dirt of by-gone ages, hoping somehow to justify their existence.

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