CLICK ON THUMBNAILS TO SEE LARGER IMAGES

The butterfly life cycle is complex. The butterflies lay eggs (oviposit) usually on the underside of tender new leaves of their host plant (larval host). Each butterfly has a specific host plant it prefers. The females' job is to find the right host plant which she does by smelling with sensors in her feet and antennae. The eggs are laid singly or in groups and change color and hatch into caterpillars usually in 3 - 5 days