The world of a butterfly

First stage

The first larval instar, or growth stage, looks nothing like the later stages. Early instars often look like bird droppings to fool predators.

Thanks to Richard Stickney, Butterfly Curator at the North Carolina Museum of Life and Science, for his help in developing this slideshow. The text of this page is copyright ©2009. All Rights Reserved. Images and other media may be licensed separately; see captions for more information and read the fine print. | About the photograph