What is the difference between a cocoon and a chrysalis?
• Cocoon: An outer wrapping made by the caterpillar using silk produced by glands in the caterpillar’s mouth. Moth caterpillars create cocoons as protection during the process of transformation (metamorphosis). • Chrysalis: A firm casing created during the final molt before a caterpillar undergoes metamorphosis. The casing is an adaptation of the exoskeleton. Most butterflies form chrysalises rather than cocoons. What can we do to help butterfly populations? • Pesticides negatively impact the butterflies’ native plant communities and their use should be reduced or eliminated • Creating gardens can restore the lost habitat of local butterfly species. Key Facts: • The average lifespan at the adult stage is approximately 2 – 4 weeks. • Currently, there are over 24, 000 known species of butterflies. • The largest butterfly is the Queen Alexandra Birdwing (Ornithoptera alexandrae) with a wingspan of 28 cm or 11 inches . This species is only found in New Guinea. • The smallest butterfly is t
