The weird and wonderful metamorphosis of the butterfly - Franziska Bauer
352,451 Views
5,005 Questions Answered
TEDEd Animation
Let’s Begin…
In order to become a butterfly, a caterpillar’s body dissolves almost completely and is rebuilt from its own juices. Butterflies are just a few of the 800,000 insect species that transition from larvae to adults through complete metamorphosis. But how exactly does this process work? Franziska Bauer explains how these squishy larvae emerge as armored, aerodynamic, and nimble adults.
The life cycle of an insect that undergoes complete metamorphosis is a long series of shedding cuticles, otherwise known as molts. The butterfly caterpillar molts four times during its growth. What are the next two following molts before it emerges as an adult butterfly?
Sign in to answer questionAbout TED-Ed Animations
TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »
Meet The Creators
- Educator Franziska Bauer
- Director Avi Ofer
- Script Editor Elizabeth Cox
- Animator Avi Ofer
- Composer Marcos Tawil
- Sound Designer Marcos Tawil
- Associate Producer Elizabeth Cox
- Content Producer Gerta Xhelo
- Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
- Narrator Addison Anderson
- Fact-Checker Brian Gutierrez
