A step-by-step guide to the four stages of metamorphosis — egg, caterpillar, chrysalis or cocoon, and adult — highlighting how butterflies and moths differ at each stage.

Butterfly & Moth Life-Cycle! Crawling Caterpillars to Fluttering Friends! Stage 1 - Tiny Eggs: Hidden on leaves! Mothers lay tiny eggs on their favorite host plants. Butterflies lay single eggs or small clusters. Moths often lay huge, fuzzy patches of eggs. The leftover eggshell is their very first meal after hatching! Stage 2 - Hungry Caterpillars: Munch, munch, munch! Tiny caterpillars hatch and eat leaves constantly to grow big. They grow so fast they have to shed their tight skin multiple times, just like outgrowing your clothes! Stage 3 - Time to Transform: Time to rest! The caterpillar fastens itself to a branch and forms a protective shell. Butterflies make a hard, smooth chrysalis. Moths spin a soft, silken cocoon. Inside, their bodies completely melt down and rebuild into flying insects! Stage 4 - Fluttering Adults: Wings open! They emerge, pump their wings full of fluid, and take flight. They drink sweet flower nectar using a long, straw-like tongue called a proboscis! Spot the Difference! Butterfly: Bright, beautiful colors. Rests with wings folded up. Flies during the sunny day. Thin antennae with little clubs on the ends. Moth: Earthy, fuzzy bodies. Rests with wings spread flat. Flies mostly at night. Feathery or leaf-like antennae. Explorer's Challenge - Spring and summer are the perfect times for bug hunting! Gently check the underside of leaves in your garden. Will you find a munching caterpillar or a resting pupa today?
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