4
Life Cycle of White Four-ring
Ramanasaran Hari
Butterflies go through a life cycle. A butterfly has four stages in its life cycle. Each stage is different. As they grow, they undergo
one terrific transformation – a process known as “metamorphosis“. The life cycle process can take a month to year. White Four
Ring Butterfly is used an example to explain the process.
The different Stages are, Egg, Caterpillar/Larvae, Pupa/Chrysalis and Adult
Egg
A butterfly starts life as a very small, round, oval or cylindrical egg some may be ribbed while others may have other features.
The egg shape depends on the type of butterfly that laid the egg. Each species of butterfly has its own host plant range and
while some species of butterfly are restricted to just one species of plant, others use a range of plant species, often including
members of a common family.
For White Four Ring Butterfly, eggs are usually laid on the Grass Leaves. So if you are actively searching for these very tiny eggs,
you will have to take some time and examine quite a few leaves in order to find some
Caterpillar/ Larvae
The egg hatches into caterpillar
(larvae). The caterpillar eats leaves
and flowers constantly. It will start its
eating process by eating its own egg-
shell. The caterpillar moults and loses
its old skin many times as it grows. The
caterpillar will increase in size several
times before pupating.
Caterpillars mature through a series of
stages, called instars. Near the end of
each instar, the larvae undergo a pro-
cess called apolysis (the caterpillar
sheds its old skin then gets new skin).
A caterpillar shedding its outgrown
skin is called Moulting/Instar Change.
There are 5 Instar Stages.
PATTAMPOOCHI
A TNBS MAGAZINE
WINGS 2 VEINS 2
28