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After
the incubation period, which usually lasts between
eight to ten days, the caterpillar breaks through
the membrane casing it and, once completely liberated,
immediately begins feeding on the host-plant,
increasing its weight by about a thousand times
in the space of two weeks.
This phase of life lasts around a month and includes
several colour changes. Finally, having reached,
usually, a length of between four and five centimetres,
and now well-fed and strong, the caterpillar builds
a cushion-like structure of silk and anchors it
to the plant.
When the caterpillar is left with only one set
of crawlers, this will serve as a support while
it spins the cocoon.
Inside this chitinous capsule ninphosis occurs:
a complete transformation, during which, within
two weeks the chrysalis emerges from the cocoon
to begin a new life as a butterfly.
This chrysalis, or pupa, is the intermediate stadium
in the metamorphosis.: remaining immobile, the
wings, legs and antennae belonging to the body
are all produced. It is often enclosed in the
silk sac as mentioned, other times a mere thread
of silk is enough to keep the butterfly in place.
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