Science · Reading practice

Life Cycle of a Butterfly

From a tiny egg to a flying butterfly — the four stages of a big change.

A1 · For Kids · about 2 min

A butterfly's life has four stages. This is called a life cycle.

First, a butterfly lays a tiny egg on a leaf.

A caterpillar hatches from the egg. It eats leaves and grows bigger and bigger.

Next, the caterpillar makes a hard case called a chrysalis. Inside, it slowly changes shape.

Finally, a beautiful butterfly comes out of the chrysalis and flies away to drink nectar from flowers.

Check your understanding

1. What are the four stages of a butterfly's life called?

2. What hatches from the egg?

3. What does a caterpillar eat?

4. What is the hard case called?

Talk about it

  1. Have you ever seen a caterpillar or a butterfly?
  2. What other animals change a lot as they grow up?

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