It’s time to shed 2021 and start anew, like a caterpillar metamorphosing into a butterfly. The most dramatic part of metamorphosis takes place inside the skin of the pupa, or the chrysalis. During this stage of metamorphosis, which can take from two weeks to several months, the larval tissues completely break down and reorganize. The outlines of adult features—the wings, eyes, tongue, antennae, and body segments—can be seen on the surface of the pupal skin. When fully formed, the pupal case splits, and the butterfly emerges. The butterfly first expels its meconium, metabolic waste products that have accumulated during the pupal stage. It then expands its shriveled wings—by pumping them full of blood—before flying off. Cheers to new beginnings and spreading your wings! Photo: Petr Kratochvil, needpix #newyear2021 #naturalhistory #amnh #butterflies #metamorphosis https://www.instagram.com/p/CYQDIiWLjJ-/?utm_medium=tumblr
