The Cocoon
The cocoon is known as the chrysalis stage of a butterfly's development. This stage lasts between two to four weeks, depending upon weather and temperature. The cocoon is made from silk that the caterpillar prepares. It spins a covering around itself to deter predators while it undergoes its changes.
Structural Changes
A butterfly's body both breaks down and develops inside the cocoon. Some parts of its structure liquefies while other parts harden. It is a tumultuous process. At its completion butterflies use their new mouthparts to tear holes in their cocoon. Some butterflies also develop a kind of corrosive spit to break down the cocoon's fibers.
Chemical Changes
A a series of chemical changes occur a couple of days before the butterfly comes out from the cocoon. Hormones are released from its developed body and it rapidly changes color. The entire pattern of the butterfly's wings can appear in less than 48 hours. Emerging butterflies also release pheromones, attracting males to a female's cocoon, waiting for the female butterfly to emerge.
Drying Out
The butterfly breaks forth from its cocoon with wrinkled wet wings. It crawls from its discarded cocoon to a place in the sun. Butterflies only hatch in the mornings. The temperature rises and the butterfly pulsates its wings to dry before unfurling them in a dramatic display of color. It flaps its wings for hours in the sun before flying away to in search of gardens or trees to copulate.