Butterflies

Butterflies are beautiful insects found all over the world. They have big, colorful wings covered in tiny scales. Butterflies start their lives as caterpillars before transforming into their winged form. This amazing change is called metamorphosis.

The Life Cycle

A butterfly goes through four stages. First, the mother lays tiny eggs on a plant. A caterpillar hatches from the egg and eats leaves to grow big. Then it makes a chrysalis around itself. Inside, its body completely changes into a butterfly!

Colors and Wings

Butterfly wings are covered in thousands of tiny scales. These scales create the beautiful colors and patterns we see. Some butterflies use their bright colors to warn predators that they taste bad. Others have patterns that look like big eyes to scare away enemies.

Fun Facts

• Monarch butterflies migrate up to 3,000 miles each year.
• Butterflies taste with their feet.
• Some butterflies can fly at speeds up to 30 miles per hour.

Did You Know?

The largest butterfly in the world is Queen Alexandra's birdwing from Papua New Guinea. Its wingspan can reach almost 12 inches!