Butterflies are insects whose adult forms are recognised by wings covered with tiny scales. Their colours and patterns vary greatly, from bright contrasts to markings that blend with surrounding leaves or bark. The familiar winged stage is only part of a longer life cycle. Earlier stages have different shapes, needs, and ways of using the environment, so understanding butterflies involves looking beyond the adult insect. The life cycle includes egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The larval stage is commonly called a caterpillar. It spends much of its time feeding and growing, often on particular kinds of plants. The pupa is a stage of major internal transformation rather than a small sleeping version of the adult. After emergence, the adult has a body adapted to different activities, including flight and reproduction. The plants used by caterpillars are not necessarily the same sources of food used by adults. Many adult butterflies visit…