GlenysThe Life Cycle of the Butterfly - Doleschallia bisaltide - Plants Have Many Uses
November 4th 2010 08:50
This blog shows the life cycle of a butterfly called Doleschallia bisaltide, commonly known as Autumn Leaf. It is found in some parts of Asia and Australia, and has been found in Singapore for about ten years.
This caterpillar was found in a garden in Singapore and its various stages of development photographed, giving you the privilege of observing its transformation from a caterpillar to a butterfly.
The caterpillars grew till they were about 7 or 8 cm long. Then eventually, each caterpillar climbed to the highest point it could find and attached itself, tail end, by spinning some find thread, and hung upside down. The caterpilars all chose the evening to attach themselves, and hung there, upside down, overnight. While hanging, the caterpillars curled themselves around, as in the photo below, and seemed to scrunch up like an accordian, shortening in length and filling out width-ways.
In the morning, the caterpillars shed their skins. They all wriggled violently during this process, as the skin came off, making it very difficult to photograph.
The skin fell off, discarded, leaving a raw-looking, wriggling mass (the chrysallis) hanging.
Over the next day or so, the covering of the chrysallis hardened and darkened.
About one week later, the colour of the chrysallis darkened, and the next morning there was a butterfly.
This caterpillar was found in a garden in Singapore and its various stages of development photographed, giving you the privilege of observing its transformation from a caterpillar to a butterfly.
The Caterpillar of the Autumn Leaf Butterfly
The caterpillars grew till they were about 7 or 8 cm long. Then eventually, each caterpillar climbed to the highest point it could find and attached itself, tail end, by spinning some find thread, and hung upside down. The caterpilars all chose the evening to attach themselves, and hung there, upside down, overnight. While hanging, the caterpillars curled themselves around, as in the photo below, and seemed to scrunch up like an accordian, shortening in length and filling out width-ways.
In the morning, the caterpillars shed their skins. They all wriggled violently during this process, as the skin came off, making it very difficult to photograph.
The skin fell off, discarded, leaving a raw-looking, wriggling mass (the chrysallis) hanging.
Discarded Caterpillar Skin
Over the next day or so, the covering of the chrysallis hardened and darkened.
About one week later, the colour of the chrysallis darkened, and the next morning there was a butterfly.
Front view of the Butterfly
**'We are all part of the cycle of life'**
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