But once the transformation begins ... That's all the waste the butterfly, née caterpillar, produced during its stay. Once its wings expand and harden, it's ready to mate, pollinate, and slurp ...
A caterpillar does this through a process that requires it to stop eating, hang itself upside down from a twig, wiggle from its skin underneath, and split itself open, shedding its former self.
Each caterpillar then undergoes a complete physical transformation called metamorphosis Now resembling a butterfly, it emerges from the chrysalis ready to mate so the cycle can continue ...
Caterpillars grow, feed and then transform from a chrysalis to a beautiful colourful butterfly before our very eyes. This clip is from the series Wonders of Nature. This short film is relevant for ...