Caterpillars liquify as they transform into moths

Caterpillars' bodies “melt" almost completely before morphing into butterflies in the chrysalis. In order for the change from a caterpillar to a butterfly to take place within the pupa, the caterpillar begins releasing enzymes that literally digest nearly all of its own body. What's left inside the chrysalis is mostly just a very nutrient rich soup from which the butterfly will begin to form.

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70 Comments

Marienne Litolff

But! Do they get paranoid when the word “soup” is used? 😁

josephcarter

Do they remember their pre chrysalis existence or are they a new creature with a brand new consciousness?

msmch

Wow!! Had not heard this befote .... interesting!!

Nada Gennaoui

Interesting. I learnt something new today.

Albert

The curse of true has been struck again.

Cujo

I liquify when I transform into an obnoxious loud mouth bar fly.

Player

As per the question asked - Butterfly caterpillars "melt" in a chrysalis. Moths, however, undergo metamorphosis within a cocoon. The answer should be false.

Irene Townsend

Got a Monarch pulp on my Swan plant hanging now, though here in New Zealand it is winter and cold so I don't know if it will survive. had a few monarch butterfly's last year.