Metamorphosis

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Metamorphosis
By Janet Dlugosz PTTL 2003
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From Egg to Butterfly
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THE EGGS The Painted Lady lays it eggs on plants.
The eggs are green and shaped like an oval. They
are about 1 mm large.
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THE LARVA The larva or caterpillar is a very big
eater. It stays near the plant where it was
hatched, eating mostly leaves. This stage takes
about 4 weeks.
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THE PUPA OR CHRYSALIS The caterpillar crawls to a
safe place and hangs upside down from a branch or
leaf. The larvae spins thread and attaches its
tail to its resting place. In about 24 hours the
skin splits down the back. Under this is the
chrysalis,which hardens and becomes a golden
color. The Painted Lady stays in this state from
7 to 10 days.
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THE BUTTERFLYWhen the chrysalis splits and
releases the butterfly, air is pumped into the
wings, filling them with blood and unfolding
them. They need enough space for the butterfly
wings to do this. The wings dry and harden within
the first day. Veins on the wings give them
strength.
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Anatomy
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The Life Cycle of a Painted Lady Butterfly
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Fun Facts

• Male painted ladies have smaller abdomens than
  females.
• Butterflies are diurnal (active during the day).
• Favorite butterfly flowers aster, cosmos,
  thistle, and buttonbush.
• Favorite caterpillar plants thistle, mallow,
  hollyhock, malva, and sunflower.
• Painted Lady Butterflies see more patterns, a
  wider range of color, and more shades of green
  than people do.
• The tiny scales attached to butterfly wings give
  the wings their color.
• Butterflies have taste sensors on their legs.

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As the Indian Legend Goes
If anyone desires a wish to come true they must
first capture a butterfly and whisper that wish
to it. Since a butterfly can make no sound, the
butterfly cannot reveal the wish to anyone but
the Great Spirit who hears and sees all. In
gratitude for giving the beautiful butterfly its
freedom, the Great Spirit always grants the
wish. So, according to legend, by making a wish
and giving the butterfly its freedom, the wish
will be taken to the heavens and be granted.
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The End And the Beginning