Butterflies how long they live

An average butterfly species has an adult life span of two weeks or less. For example one butterfly studied in Costa Rica had a life expectancy of about two days, and live ten days at the most. No adult butterfly can live more than a year. All of this, however, accounts only for the last of four stages in the life cycle of butterflies, which start as an egg. This hatches into a larva or caterpillar , which itself turns into a pupa or chrysalis. The complete life cycle of butterflies can vary significantly from species to species.

Most eggs hatch within a week or two, although some species overwinter as eggs. During this relatively short period, caterpillars famously eat a lot.

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