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The first evidence that a butterfly is ready to emerge is a transparency of the pupa case revealing the colours of the wings beneath. After a while the chrysalis splits open, a limp, damp butterfly emerges. The wings are like soggy paper.
The butterfly hangs from the pupa case for an hour or so to let its wings straighten and dry out. Once the butterfly has done this and warmed itself in the sun it is ready to fly off and feed and mate, so continuing the on-going lifecycle.
A butterfly has a head, thorax and abdomen. Its four wings are attached to the thorax. The butterfly has six legs also attached to the thorax, however in some families two of these legs are modified for sensory purposes only. The first two legs in these families, when not in use, are kept folded up close to the head.
The butterfly has two compound eyes, which have 10,000 lenses.
The butterfly's proboscis (tongue) is split when hatched. It forms into a hollow-tube like drinking straw. A butterfly cannot bite or chew; it only drinks nectar.
The antennae of the butterfly are slender with a knob on the end and are used for hearing.
The butterfly tastes through its feet and breathes through its side, as it has no lungs.
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