Butterflies undergo a process called complete metamorphosis to transition from egg to larva to pupa and finally adult butterfly. As a larva, it is commonly known as a caterpillar which eats leaves. It then forms a chrysalis or pupa and undergoes transformation within until emerging as an adult butterfly. In this stage, it uses its proboscis to drink nectar from flowers and bright wings to fly from place to place.

1. Life Cycles
Butterflies

2. Today we’re going to learn the life cycle of an insect. This insect is beautiful, its wings have vibrant colors that allow it to fly all over the flowers in the garden. Guess what is it?

3. A BUTTERFLY!

4. Metamorphosis
•Butterflies go through a process called metamorphosis (________________________)
•Metamorphosis is a process which butterflies go through to become _________.
•Metamorphosis is a series of physical __________________.
A big change
adults
changes

5. _____________
____________
commonly known as a caterpillar
____________
_________
_________
eggs
larva
Chrysalis
adult
butterfly

6. _____________________
Stage 1
Eggs

8. _____________________
Stage 2
Larva

10. _____________________
Stage 3
Pupa or Chrysalis

12. _____________________
Stage 4
Adult Butterfly

15. Butterfly
Life Cycle
egg
Larva
chrysalis
Adult Butterfly

18. What stage of the butterfly life cycle does this picture show?
Chrysalis
____________

19. It Warns predators
_____________________
_____________________
What can bright colors on a butterfly do?
they are poisonous

20. What hatches from a butterfly’s egg?
a larva
__________________

21. What do butterflies eat?
nectar
__________________

22. _____________________ _____________________
What happens during metamorphosis?
The larva changes
into an adult butterfly

23. _____________________ _____________________
Why might some caterpillars be spiky?
To stay safe
from predators

24. _____________________ _____________________
What does a butterfly use its proboscis for?
to drink
nectar

25. _____________________ _____________________
How does a butterfly smell?
It uses its
antennas

26. _____________________ _____________________
What happens last in a butterfly’s life cycle?
the pupa changes
to an adult