Metamorphosis is a series of dramatic changes in an organism’s body shape and structure as it develops after hatching or being born. The transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly is just one example of a metamorphosis that occurs in thousands of insect species and amphibians. The caterpillars, can be cute, but also cause devastation if they are in huge numbers.

Each butterfly female lays around 100 eggs, of which 80% will hatch, and this takes about three days. We’ve all seen tiny, whitish butterfly or moth eggs at the underside of leaves.

The next stage is caterpillar which includes rapid growth and therefore eating everything in the caterpillar’s sight. Caterpillars have an exoskeleton, that is a skeleton on the outside, which they shed whenever it becomes too small, approximately five times during their caterpillar stage.

The Saddleback caterpillar in this picture looks unusual in appearance and colouring but even humans should refrain from touching this critter as the hollow hairs or spins are connected to poisonous glands below. Upon contact, one experiences a burning sensation similar to a bee sting. The affected skin will show an inflammation and irritation that can last a day or two. So hands off!

Butterflies only take four days to change from pupa to adult. And then, it’s time for the big moment…

A web of thousands of Eastern Tent caterpillars that took over Wyndham in upstate New York recently.