Before being born, a butterfly goes through three phases of development. At first it exists in the form of an egg, then it becomes a caterpillar, and then turns into a pupa. It is from the pupa that the adult beauty emerges, having overcome the long path of metamorphosis.
Instructions
Step 1
First, an adult butterfly lays its testicles. This is the first stage in the development of this insect. The testicles must have a chance to survive intact, so the adult butterfly tries to keep the testicles safe before leaving them. To do this, some species of butterflies lay their eggs in the ground and try to bury them. Others have special glands, and they flood the masonry with secretions. Later, this mucus hardens, protecting the testicles, they end up in a kind of capsule.
Step 2
There is another way to protect future offspring. An adult butterfly covers the clutch with scales and villi, which it extracts from its own abdomen. Often the testicles are attached by a butterfly to the leaves of plants, which the caterpillars should feed on in the future. The rate of development of the caterpillar in the egg depends primarily on the temperature conditions and the type of butterfly. This can last from a few days to months. The longest development of the embryo is observed in those species of butterflies that hibernate in the form of an egg.
Step 3
The second phase of the birth of a butterfly is the caterpillar. This is a butterfly larva, the main task of which is to store energy and nutrients for the pupal stage, for this it actively feeds. As it grows, the larva periodically molts. During its last molt, the caterpillar enters the pupal phase. After that, she does not eat and remains motionless. Pupae are often attached to branches and leaves. There are also such types of butterflies, the pupae of which are in the soil or in fallen leaves. The time that is determined for the pupal phase is different. It depends on the type of butterfly and can range from several weeks to ten months or even longer. During the pupal phase, the organs and tissues of the future butterfly, all the necessary muscles and wings, are formed.
Step 4
And now comes the last stage of development of the butterfly - its second birth. If you look at the pupa the day before the appearance of the butterfly, then through the shell you can even see the color of the wings of the future beauty. So, a butterfly hatches from the pupa. The meaning of her life is to make a new clutch. Puberty occurs very quickly in a butterfly, usually taking several days. The lifespan of adult butterflies is very short. Only wintering butterflies are centenarians. They live for over ten months.
