Giant Owl (Caligo eurilochus)

Where do butterflies come from?

Butterflies go four stages of life, but they only look like butterflies in the final stage.
1. An adult butterfly lays an egg.
2. The egg hatches into a caterpillar or larva.
3. The caterpillar forms the chrysalis or pupa.
4. The chrysalis looks like a tiny leathery pouch and matures into a butterfly.

Chrysalis

Approximately 18-20 days after hatching, the larvae shed one last time as they transform into a chrysalis, or pupate. For the next 8 days some incredible changes are taking place inside the chrysalis . This is called metamorphosis. When the butterfly is fully formed, the chrysalis will look very dark. Soon a new butterfly will emerge.