Anna loves to watch butterflies in her garden. One day, her teacher told her that butterflies have a special life cycle.

A butterfly starts as a tiny egg. The egg is usually on a leaf. After a few days, the egg hatches into a caterpillar. The caterpillar is very hungry and eats many leaves to grow bigger.

When it is ready, the caterpillar makes a covering called a chrysalis. This stage is called the pupa. Inside the chrysalis, the caterpillar changes its body. This change is called metamorphosis.

After some time, the chrysalis opens and out comes a butterfly with wet wings. The butterfly waits for its wings to dry. Soon, it can fly into the sky.

Butterflies visit flowers to drink nectar. While they drink, they also help flowers make seeds. This process is called pollination. Butterflies are very important for nature and for plants. Anna smiles and says, “Butterflies are truly amazing!”

The Life of a Butterfly

Vocabulary Words
    nectar         caterpillar         egg
    pupa           chrysalis          pupa
    metamorphosis
    
____1. the first stage of a butterfly’s life

____2. the larva of a butterfly that eats
            leaves

____3. a hard shell made by a caterpillar to
            change inside

____4. the stage when the caterpillar is
            inside the chrysalis

____5. the change from caterpillar to
            butterfly

____6. a sweet liquid from flowers

____7. helping flowers make seeds by
            moving pollen

Comprehension Questions
A. Remembering the Story

1. Where do butterflies usually lay their
     eggs?

2. What does the caterpillar eat to grow
     bigger?

3. What is the hard covering that the
     caterpillar makes?

4. What is the change from caterpillar to
     butterfly called?

5. Why do butterflies visit flowers?

B. Thinking Questions
6. Why are butterflies important for
     nature?

7. If there were no butterflies, what
     might happen to flowers?