The world of a butterfly

The adult butterfly

After eight days, the adult butterfly emerges from the chrysalis. Its wings are wet, and it cannot fly until they dry.

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