Photo Log: Life Cycle of Painted Lady Butterflies

The catepilars arrived in this container. This picture was taken a couple of days after the arrival, and the caterpilars had already grown a bit. All the food that the caterpillars required was already in the container. Date: March 02, 2005	In about a week's time the caterpillars had grown very big compared to when they arrived. They had also spun a web around the container walls. Date: March 09, 2005
The very next day the caterpillars moved up to the top of the container and one by one started to hang themselves up-side down. Date: March 10, 2005	They seem to be changing fast now, but clearly they want to keep eating as well as hang from the top! Date: March 10, 2005
As I said, they are changing fast. This morning we saw that some of them had already spun a web around themselves and had converted into a pupa. Date: March 11, 2005	By the time the day was over, all the five caterpillars had changed into pupa or chrysalis. Date: March 11, 2005
Almost a week has passed since the caterpillars changed into pupa. The metamorphosis is almost complete. Its time to move the chrysalis into a cage. Date: March 16, 2005	One of the chrysalis had fallen down from the lid, but hopefully he will be OK. I kept it at the bottom of the butterfly cage. Date: March 16, 2005
Sometime last night, or early this morning, one of the butterflies came out! We did not see it come out, but we aregoing to watch the rest closely for the rest of the day. Date: March 20, 2005	Ah, another one just came out. We saw it emerge. Some reddish liquid drops also fell to the bottom of the cage. Date: March 21, 2005
All the butterflies have emerged. They are spreading their wings and look beautiful. Date: March 23, 2006	Empty chrysalis coverings remain, we are starting to let the butterflies go. We leave the cage open, but not all butterflies seem to be in a hurry to leave! Date: March 26, 2005