The Lifecycle of the Painted Lady Butterfly

The Life Cycle of the Painted Lady Butterfly A female has found a thistle plant and is now laying some eggs. Within a week, the eggs begin to hatch. The caterpillars will now begin to eat their eggshell. In a week, the caterpillars begin to feed on the thistle plant and are now growing. This Painted Lady Caterpillar is in the second instar. A few weeks have passed and the caterpillars have substantially grown. To reach this size, the caterpillars will have to gorge on food for many weeks. The stems are covered with silk threads, a kind of lifeline for the caterpillars. This caterpillar is fully grown and is ready to find a place to pupate. This caterpillar has found a safe place to pupate. As the butterfly is about to come out of the chrysalis, you will see the wings of the butterfly. The butterfly will now proceed to stretch its wings. The butterfly is now ready to fly away. You're ready to restart the entire life cycle all over again. Also, watch these.