Butterflies are some of the most beautiful insects on Earth. They can be found on every continent except Antarctica. There are about 20,000 different species of butterflies!
The Life Cycle
A butterfly goes through four stages called metamorphosis. First, a butterfly lays an egg on a leaf. The egg hatches into a caterpillar. The caterpillar eats and grows, then forms a chrysalis. Finally, an adult butterfly comes out!
Parts of a Butterfly
Antenna
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Wings
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🦋
Body
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Legs
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Caption: This diagram shows the main body parts of a butterfly.
Why Butterflies Matter
Butterflies help plants by spreading pollen from flower to flower. They are also an important food source for birds and other animals.
Glossary
Chrysalis: A hard shell where a caterpillar changes into a butterfly
Metamorphosis: The process of changing form, like caterpillar to butterfly
Pollen: A powder that helps plants make seeds