---
title: "Caterpillar to butterfly"
description: "Caterpillar to butterfly: the life cycle of a butterfly as an observable transformation. Egg → caterpillar → chrysalis → butterfly. The idea that one creature can change its whole form. Classroom butt"
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/caterpillar-to-butterfly-mt_Wr6DDgr_kH
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/caterpillar-to-butterfly-mt_Wr6DDgr_kH.md
retrieved: 2026-10-19
---

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# Caterpillar to butterfly

Caterpillar to butterfly: the life cycle of a butterfly as an observable transformation. Egg → caterpillar → chrysalis → butterfly. The idea that one creature can change its whole form. Classroom butterfly kits, The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Subject: Science · Area: Insects & Minibeasts · Ages 5 to 7
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/caterpillar-to-butterfly-mt_Wr6DDgr_kH

## Ready when they can

- Describe the four stages of a butterfly's life in order: egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, butterfly
- Explain that the caterpillar and the butterfly are the same creature at different stages of life
- Retell or draw the transformation from caterpillar to butterfly after reading a story or watching it happen

## Lesson: Caterpillar to butterfly

A butterfly does not start life as a butterfly. It begins as a tiny egg. Then it changes shape three more times.

*(drawing: Follow the stages in order: egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, butterfly.)*

**Example.** Leo watches a caterpillar in a jar. First it eats leaves. Then it makes a chrysalis. A week later, a butterfly comes out.

**Tip.** The caterpillar and the butterfly are not two bugs. They are the same creature. It just changes its shape.

**Recap.** Egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, butterfly: one creature, four big changes.

## Practice

8 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [What is a minibeast?](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/what-is-a-minibeast-mt_BI6oGIO-xM)

## Opens up

- [Insect life cycles: complete metamorphosis](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/insect-life-cycles-complete-metamorphosis-mt_hsN-YvCNQY)