Life Cycle of a Butterfly 🦋
Name: _____________________________ Date: _____________
Read each question carefully, then write or circle your answer.
The four stages of a butterfly's life cycle are: egg → caterpillar → chrysalis → butterfly
Questions
1. Fill in the blank:
A butterfly starts its life as an \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.
2. Fill in the blank:
When the egg hatches, a \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ (also called a larva) comes out.
3. Multiple choice — Circle the correct answer:
What does a caterpillar mostly do all day?
- A) Fly around flowers
- B) Eat leaves and grow bigger
- C) Sleep inside a cocoon
- D) Lay eggs on branches
4. Fill in the blank:
The caterpillar wraps itself into a hard shell called a \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.
5. Multiple choice — Circle the correct answer:
What comes OUT of the chrysalis?
- A) A bigger caterpillar
- B) A ladybird
- C) A butterfly
- D) An egg
6. Put the stages in the correct order — Write numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 in the boxes:
| Stage | |
|---|---|
| ☐ | Chrysalis |
| ☐ | Butterfly |
| ☐ | Egg |
| ☐ | Caterpillar |
7. Short word problem:
A butterfly lays 10 eggs on a leaf. 3 eggs do not hatch. How many caterpillars will there be?
Working out: _______________________________
Answer: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ caterpillars
8. ⭐ Challenge question:
A butterfly lands on a flower and sips nectar. Why is this important — not just for the butterfly, but for the flowers too? Write one or two sentences.
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
Great work — you're a science star! 🌟
Answer Key
1. egg
2. caterpillar
3. B — Eat leaves and grow bigger
4. chrysalis
5. C — A butterfly
6. Correct order:
| Number | Stage |
|---|---|
| 3 | Chrysalis |
| 4 | Butterfly |
| 1 | Egg |
| 2 | Caterpillar |
7. 10 − 3 = 7 caterpillars
8. Suggested answer: When a butterfly drinks nectar, it carries pollen from flower to flower on its body. This helps flowers make seeds so that new plants can grow. (Accept any reasonable answer that mentions pollen or helping plants/flowers grow.)