The natural transformation process of butterflies, from caterpillar to beautiful winged creatures, has always fascinated scientists due to its unique and intriguing stages of development.
Researchers have identified a “trigger hormone” responsible for activating the molting process in caterpillars, allowing them to become stunning butterflies.
The research team also found that by adjusting their hormonal therapy, they could halt the growth process of the caterpillars. This discovery may provide better insights into hormonal control over growth processes in humans.
David Champlin, a biology professor at the University of Southern Maine, along with his colleagues, authored this study. Champlin likened the newly discovered hormone (known as the metamorphosis trigger factor) to the ignition in a car.
According to the research team, metamorphosis is influenced by the nutritional regime in the caterpillar’s diet. By altering this diet, they could create strange half-caterpillar, half-butterfly creatures. For example, these hybrid beings may have the mouth of a caterpillar specialized for chewing plant matter and proboscises like those of butterflies. The development of antennae, legs, and eyes also reached an intermediate stage.
This hybrid creature is unable to feed and thus does not survive. However, researchers were able to detail the relationship between the cells that form the caterpillar and those that will form the butterfly. A notable finding is that the cells forming the butterfly’s eyes originate from the skin cells of the caterpillar.
“All of this allows us to better understand the hormonal control over growth in animals, including humans. It is also related to stem cell research and medical regeneration,” Champlin stated.
Latest Multidimensional Images of the Caterpillar-to-Butterfly Process
The life cycle of a butterfly begins with the egg stage. Butterflies typically lay their eggs on the leaves of their preferred food plants. The eggs are very small and come in various shapes, mostly spherical.
The eggs are covered by a thin waxy layer on the outside called the chorion. This layer prevents water evaporation before the larvae have time to fully develop.
This egg stage lasts for a few weeks until the eggs hatch into larvae (caterpillars). The first meal of the caterpillar is the eggshell itself. After that, it spends most of its time eating leaves. The eating period lasts about 2 to 3 weeks. From a distance, it can be difficult to spot them due to the colors on their bodies, which help them camouflage.
After 2-3 weeks of abundant feeding, the caterpillars, having grown larger, begin to search for a suitable place to pupate. This will be the actual transformation stage, step by step, to take on the form of a butterfly.
The photo captures various cross-sections inside the chrysalis, showing the digestive system and wings beginning to develop. The study’s author, Russell Garwood from the University of Manchester, stated: “The tracheal system begins to form, allowing this insect to breathe.”
This is a typical image of a chrysalis with a protective outer layer. A viscous adhesive-like substance helps secure the chrysalis in place. The color of the protective shell resembles that of a wilted leaf, providing the best camouflage during this vulnerable stage.
Most of the significant changes occur during the first week of the pupation process. This image illustrates the changes occurring from day 1 to day 13.
Day 13: The red structure in the center is the intestine – part of the digestive system. This is the structural part with the black color you saw in the previous image.
Russell Garwood shared: “The yellow part in the image consists of tubes that expel waste from the body – similar to the kidneys in humans.”
Day 14: The photo once again illustrates the internal and external changes of the chrysalis.
Day 16: The butterfly’s body continues to grow, showing differentiation between the thorax, wings, legs, abdomen, and hind body.
After more than two weeks, the butterfly inside the chrysalis creates a small hole to emerge. Newly emerged butterflies cannot fly immediately as their wings are not yet dry and sturdy. After about an hour, the butterfly’s wings reach full size, dry, and are ready for flight.
Watch the video below to learn more about how caterpillars metamorphose into butterflies.
