Lepidoptera

Life Cycle

Moths and butterflies undergo a complete life cycle that includes four stages: egg, caterpillar (larvae), pupae and adult. The eggs are usually laid on or close to the caterpillar's food plant either singularly or in groups. A female may lay only a few eggs or tens of thousands depending on the species, but several hundred is reasonably typical. After hatching caterpillars usually develop through 4 to 7 instars over a period of a few weeks up to a few months depending on the species, before pupating.

Feeding

Most larvae of moths and butterflies are herbivores either eating foliage or wood, but some are carnivorous cannibalising other caterpillars or feeding on soft bodied insects such as scale or ant larvae. Adults are generally nectar feeders, although a few have reduced mouthparts and do not eat at all.