For some species, this whole process may take several weeks, while others like the Checkerspot caterpillar, may need to rest for the entire winter before they can pupate. Once a caterpillar is full-grown, it will molt into its final skin called a pupal case or chrysalis. It's in this special skin that the caterpillar transforms into an adult butterfly. New organs start to grow and old structures dissolve inside the pupal case until on a warm sunny day, the pupal skin splits open near the head and the new adult butterfly crawls out. Within hours, it will develop the strength to fly away.
Butterflies waste no time finding a mate.
Once mated, a female will lay up to hundreds of eggs on selected plants. The important point to know about the butterfly's life cycle is that it occurs at different times during the year depending upon the species. Because butterflies and caterpillars eat entirely different foods, you'll need to provide the right food plants at the right time to support both ends of the life cycle. Grow Lots of Caterpillar Food Caterpillars feed mainly on the foliage of perennial plants and trees. Some consume several different plant varieties but others prefer only one type of plant.