Caterpillar and butterfly are actually one and the same thing
However, they undergo a metamorphosis that changes their appearance so colossally that it seems incredible to have an individual in front of you all the time. Sounds kind of human, doesn’t it? After all, from birth to old age, we also transform in a way that seems unimaginable to us when we look at our own lives.
The metamorphosis is a change in fast motion –
At least for us humans with our considerably longer lifespan.
In theory, you probably know just as much as I do about the butterfly, which emerges from a tiny egg as a larva or caterpillar, later pupates in a protective shell and then transforms into something incredible. After a while, a wondrous butterfly emerges from the protective cocoon, which apparently has absolutely nothing in common with the caterpillar it once was.
Some time ago, I had the opportunity to experience a cycle of moon butterfly development up close. The caterpillars of the moon butterfly feed on birch leaves, which I didn’t have to search for long on our doorstep. The adult butterfly then eats nothing at all in its short life span of around 14 days. So I didn’t need any elaborate equipment for the moths.
The whole process is really impressive to watch. And time-consuming to look after. After about six weeks, all the caterpillars had finally pupated and I didn’t need to get any more fresh leaves.
Being a caterpillar means a lot of work!
Honestly! Eat, rest and moult! That’s the life of a caterpillar. Doesn’t really sound like work, does it? But up to a size of several centimeters, the caterpillar has to shed its skin several times. To me, it looked like a huge feat of strength every time. Imagine me crouching over the breeding container, watching and marveling. With the macro function of the camera, I was even more amazed in the end. Because I could see the process much more clearly than with the naked eye.
The clip shows the metamorphosis of the moon butterfly in fast motion.
At the end, the shell of the head is thrown off like an old hat 🎩🐛
That looks really bizarre. And exhausting, isn’t it? I don’t find it surprising that after a successful moult, the caterpillar just sits there for the next few hours, resting and collecting itself – until the next feeding attack, when the birch leaves are simply rasped away.
Unbelievable, but true: this little eater eventually pupates. And after a few weeks, the beautiful moon butterfly, which is at home in Canada, hatches.
The newly hatched moth has the appearance of a winged worm.
The clip shows how the moth crawls out of the cocoon. The next step is to get rid of the old digestive juices. Then it looks for a place where it can “pump up” its wings in peace. To do this, the fluid from its long body is pumped more and more into the enlarging wings. This process also takes several hours.
The moon butterfly then only lives for about a fortnight. This time is used exclusively for reproduction. It does not feed during this time. In contrast to many other butterflies, which seek out different food sources, need different climates and have very different life spans. The variety of metamorphosis is simply unimaginable and incredible. Simply impressive.
The metamorphosis with all its profound changes is taking place with a reliability that I find downright encouraging. I would like to trust that there may well be a grandiose plan behind every impending change. After all, nothing stays the same and nothing is as certain as change.
The metamorphosis of butterflies has always been an inspiration for philosophy, psychology and literature. Perhaps because it is so incredibly complex. No matter how much research we do, it remains a mystery to us.
For me, butterfly breeding remains a one-off experiment. Until further notice. However, as change is formative for my art, metamorphosis will definitely be given a lot of space in my upcoming exhibition. Simply because the subject is so topical. We are facing changes that we will have to deal with. A lot is still open. However, the date for my next exhibition is certain – here is the official announcement. My work will be on display at the Bad Arolsen Museum from March 8. I will tell you more about it here soon.
