There are around 200 thousand species of butterflies, but only around 120 thousand have been registered. The egg is a tiny, round, oval or cylindrical object, usually with fine ribs and other microscopic structures. The female attaches the egg to leaves, stems, or other objects, usually on or near the intended caterpillar food.
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
In a few days the eggs hatch and the caterpillar (or larva) comes out of it. It is the long, worm-like stage of the butterfly or moth. It often has an interesting pattern of stripes or patches, and it may have spine-like hairs. It is the feeding and growth stage. As it grows, it sheds its skin four or more times so as to enclose its rapidly growing body.
The larva lives for around 60 days. Then suddenly it stops eating and doesn’t move at all; it looks like its dead. The chrysalis (or pupa) is the transformation stage within which the caterpillar tissues are broken down and the adult insect's structures are formed. Once the caterpillar has transformed into a pupa a remarkable process occurs transforming the contents of the pupa into an adult butterfly. This can take as little as two weeks, but some species over-winter (hibernate) in this stage, only hatching in the warmth of spring. As the pupa is unable to avoid any potential predators they tend to be quite well camouflaged, indeed some are form under the ground. It looks like nothing is happening with the pupa from the outside, but there is a massive biological transformation going on inside it. After some time, a Butterfly comes out of the chrysalis.
A butterfly or moth is emerging now. The pupa skin splits, the limp, damp butterfly crawls out-now with compound eyes, a proboscis for feeding and six legs. The wings are expanded and blood is pumping into them. A little warming from the sun and it is now ready to fly off to feed and then lay its eggs. The adult (or imago) is colorful butterfly or moth usually seen. It is the reproductive and mobile stage for the species. The adults undergo courtship, mating, and egg-laying. The adult butterfly or moth is also the stage that migrates or colonizes new habitats.
Butterflies are important pollinators. They come fourth after beetles, flies, and bees. They live for about 2 weeks, on average. Butterflies eat nectar and pollen.