Bored Panda works better on our iPhone app
Continue in app Continue in browser

BoredPanda Add post form topAdd Post Search
Tooltip close

The Bored Panda iOS app is live! Fight boredom with iPhones and iPads here.

19 Before And After Photos Of Butterfly And Moth Transformations
99K

19 Before And After Photos Of Butterfly And Moth Transformations

ADVERTISEMENT

The animal kingdom is full of beautiful and mysterious processes, but few are more captivating and beautiful than the butterfly metamorphosis. A caterpillar turning into a butterfly is indeed a mesmerizing conversion.

Perhaps even more amazing than the drastic transformation is how it happens. Inside their cocoons, the caterpillars are completely liquified, retaining only rudimentary “plates” that are the starting points for essential features like the wings and eyes. Even though they are reduced to a protein soup, studies have indicated that some butterflies can retain behaviors that they were taught as caterpillars. Far out!

The cool thing is that many of these caterpillars are almost as impressive, if not more so than their moth or butterfly counterparts. The regular green caterpillar looks plain, compared to these beauties. Their bright markings and structures often serve as protection, advertising their poisonous nature or giving predators false targets to attack. The hairy caterpillars can sometimes cause an allergic reaction, and that is also one of their survival techniques.

Scroll down to get your dose of majestic moth caterpillars below!

Brahmin Moth

Image credits: Igor Siwanowicz

Image credits: Igor Siwanowicz

Cecropia

Image credits: Lida

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Image credits: Chip Miller

Spicebush Swallowtail

Image credits: luckybon

Image credits: shill718

Black Swallowtail

Image credits: Jim Gilbert

ADVERTISEMENT

Image credits: Tetsuya Shimizu

Polyura Sempronius

Image credits: teejaybee

Image credits: David Cook

Acraga Coa

Image credits: Our Breathing Planet 

ADVERTISEMENT

Image credits: greenmama.ru

Acharia Stimulea

ADVERTISEMENT

Image credits: butterfly blue

Image credits: butterfliesandmoths.org

Phobetron Pithecium

Image credits: Airton Morassi

Image credits: Lou Prosperi 3rd

Glass Winged Butterfly

Image credits: Wendy

Image credits: Alexander Adema

Cerura Vinula

Image credits: Lukas Jonaitis

ADVERTISEMENT

Image credits: Valerio Formichella

Flannel Moth

Image credits: Andreas Kay

Image credits: Patrick Coin

Blue Morpho

Image credits: gerckens.photo

Image credits: Ricardo Jimenes

Isochaetes Beutenmuelleri

Image credits: Igor Siwanowicz

Image credits: Roy Morris

Hubbard’s Small Silkmoth

Image credits: Charles & Clint

ADVERTISEMENT

Image credits: Margarethe Brummermann

Isa Textula

Image credits: Matthew Myers

Image credits: Ray Morris

Pipevine Swallowtail

Image credits: cotinis

Image credits: John Flannery

Spotted Apatelodes

Image credits: Bill Tanneberger

Image credits: kestrel360

Io Moth

Image credits: Jason Penney

ADVERTISEMENT

Image credits: Roger Wasley

Attacus Atlas

Image credits: John Horstman

Image credits: Andrew Cooper

Share on Facebook
You May Like
Popular on Bored Panda
What do you think ?
Add photo comments
POST
vicky.gillard.9 avatar
kristinabastyt avatar
KristinaBastytė
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I do like butterflies in general, really interesting colourful creatures, but honestly, moth species I find sometimes terrifying.

NegativeGrace avatar
TaylorRoberson
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think they're all creepy as hell. If it flies and can land on my person, I don't like it.

Load More Replies...
Steflism avatar
StefyLee
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Most of them with beautiful colours as caterpillars, turned out to be more dull moths, than those looking more pale in caterpillar years.

HHOlm avatar
HHOlm
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The black swallowtail caterpillar (Papilio polyxenes) is mis-paired with an alpine black swallowtail caterpillar (Papilio maackii).

maureen.oconnell.1232 avatar
MaureenO'Connell
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love the blue morpho, as a butterfly enthusiast, these are fantastic

sgchicago avatar
SetiGershberg
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Many were moths, beautiful indeed, but the title is not accurate...

nadiamarieharding avatar
nadiamarieharding
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Incredible beauty, thank you the photographers for their dedication to capture this incredible life change for all of us.

joopedroarzivenkogesing avatar
linnaredesi avatar
pamala.smith.92 avatar
PamalaSmith
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a lepidopterist, I can tell you that you have the wrong butterfly picture posted for the Black Swallowtail.

blancosoto avatar
JesúsSoto
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a human being, I can tell you that your attempt to add legitimacy to your claim by stating you are a lepidopterist is silly/unnecessary.

Load More Replies...
marshasranch avatar
Marsha Hoak
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Do moths (cut worm moths) chrysalises look dried up and shaggy before the moth emerges - or has the caterpillar died?

marian_grantham avatar
Marian Grantham
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thankyou all contributors. What a delicious sensory experience. :-)

Alee avatar
Alee
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These butterflies are so beautiful.....my fav is the glass winged one!

robyn_mcmaster_9 avatar
RobynMcMaster
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You have accidentally switched the images for the Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly and Black Swallowtail butterfly.

nicktrubov avatar
Nick Trubov
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Really great photos and only the spicebush and black swallowtails were transposed!

barbara.delahunty avatar
Barbara Delahunty
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some of these are hardly recognisable as caterpillars... if I came across some of these I think I'd wonder what it was!

texaspalmer avatar
ToniPalmer
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WOW these do look like space creatures....amazingly beautiful. God must of had fun designing these guys!

annari.duplessis avatar
Annari Du Plessis
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The atlas caterpillar has great protection against parasitic wasps. Those protrusions make it look like the caterpillar is already parasited

codyjo.hewitt avatar
Cody-JoHewitt
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love the pic of the last moth, totally unexpected and so beautiful. My brother however, who is terrified of moths, would freak out!

didier.vuagnat avatar
DidierVuagnat
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We're still in " The Middle Âge" of knowledge of The miracle of Life but work hard and discover Allready so much

xavier.bouvet avatar
XavierBouvet
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This ranking is really beautiful, thank you! I have never seen such beautiful tracks!

kathleen.d.king avatar
KathleenKing
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Totally awesome! Amazing how different they look as moth/butterflies than when they are caterpillars.

ricky.gripon avatar
RickyGripon
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Attacus Atlas transformation its called in Philippines ( MARIPOSA ) sometimes can grow up to 12 inches diameter or bigger of wings :)

amy.s.malik avatar
AmyMalik
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I"ve seen a few of these and was actually stung by an acharia stimulea when I was young. You don't forget one that looks like that!

marissajones avatar
Marissa Jones
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This gives a whole new meaning to before and after photos for me... Pretty cool

marissajones avatar
Marissa Jones
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This gives a whole new meaning to the before and after photos for me... Pretty cool

Bernat avatar
Tyler
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

it is impossible to imagine how it will be butterfly... amazing!

544d820e87a94 avatar
544d820e87a94
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

O Reino dos insetos uma maravilha incontável no fascínio da desafiadora e venenosa beleza, Parabéns pelo capricho da postagem.Nota 10.!.

lorraine.phillips2 avatar
Lorraine Phillips
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nature is amazing. I think they are all beautiful but the caterpillars are the prettiest. I love some of those real furry moths..

544a1eeaa7c01 avatar
Naomi Mulligan
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I actually found the hairy ones very frightening and I don't usually mind moths or butterflies.

martha.donaldson.980 avatar
Martha Donaldson
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Stunning! I would have liked knowing what part of our world these are found in.

greg.strand2 avatar
GregStrand
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's amazing the changes in color they go through from caterpillar to butterfly!

nancy.harabedian avatar
Nancy Harabedian
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The Spicebush Swallowtail caterpillar actually has two eyes and a mouth. Cute!

jacqueline.cretes avatar
JacquelineCrêtes
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

j'adore les papillons ,ils sont tres beaux, sauf certaines chenilles

Sioxie avatar
SuzannePowell
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Your pic of the blue swallowtail caterpillar looks more like a monarch caterpillar. Are you sure that's the right image?

gyregimble avatar
JamesHathaway
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's actually the Black Swallowtail caterpillar (the butterfly is under "Spicebush Swallowtail"). It is similarly striped.

Load More Replies...
nicole.gilbert.520 avatar
NicoleGilbert
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love butterflies, I even have framed ones, I have a butterfly guide but havn't found a book that has both catapillars & butterflies, so th

mertymoo avatar
MertyRobinson
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was a kid my brother told me that the 'dust' moths are covered in was the dessicated remains of corpses. Phobia still with me. Ew!!

kim.boggan.5 avatar
KimBoggan
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Weird, wonderful and downright beautiful. Definitely worth a look!

544d7dc41645e avatar
ChristineGroda
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Amazing reflection of GOD'S LOVE ❤ THIS IS THE SYMBOL OF GLORY OF GOD'S BEAUTY IN CHANGING HEARTS

vicky.gillard.9 avatar
kristinabastyt avatar
KristinaBastytė
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I do like butterflies in general, really interesting colourful creatures, but honestly, moth species I find sometimes terrifying.

NegativeGrace avatar
TaylorRoberson
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think they're all creepy as hell. If it flies and can land on my person, I don't like it.

Load More Replies...
Steflism avatar
StefyLee
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Most of them with beautiful colours as caterpillars, turned out to be more dull moths, than those looking more pale in caterpillar years.

HHOlm avatar
HHOlm
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The black swallowtail caterpillar (Papilio polyxenes) is mis-paired with an alpine black swallowtail caterpillar (Papilio maackii).

maureen.oconnell.1232 avatar
MaureenO'Connell
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love the blue morpho, as a butterfly enthusiast, these are fantastic

sgchicago avatar
SetiGershberg
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Many were moths, beautiful indeed, but the title is not accurate...

nadiamarieharding avatar
nadiamarieharding
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Incredible beauty, thank you the photographers for their dedication to capture this incredible life change for all of us.

joopedroarzivenkogesing avatar
linnaredesi avatar
pamala.smith.92 avatar
PamalaSmith
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a lepidopterist, I can tell you that you have the wrong butterfly picture posted for the Black Swallowtail.

blancosoto avatar
JesúsSoto
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a human being, I can tell you that your attempt to add legitimacy to your claim by stating you are a lepidopterist is silly/unnecessary.

Load More Replies...
marshasranch avatar
Marsha Hoak
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Do moths (cut worm moths) chrysalises look dried up and shaggy before the moth emerges - or has the caterpillar died?

marian_grantham avatar
Marian Grantham
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thankyou all contributors. What a delicious sensory experience. :-)

Alee avatar
Alee
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These butterflies are so beautiful.....my fav is the glass winged one!

robyn_mcmaster_9 avatar
RobynMcMaster
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You have accidentally switched the images for the Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly and Black Swallowtail butterfly.

nicktrubov avatar
Nick Trubov
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Really great photos and only the spicebush and black swallowtails were transposed!

barbara.delahunty avatar
Barbara Delahunty
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some of these are hardly recognisable as caterpillars... if I came across some of these I think I'd wonder what it was!

texaspalmer avatar
ToniPalmer
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WOW these do look like space creatures....amazingly beautiful. God must of had fun designing these guys!

annari.duplessis avatar
Annari Du Plessis
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The atlas caterpillar has great protection against parasitic wasps. Those protrusions make it look like the caterpillar is already parasited

codyjo.hewitt avatar
Cody-JoHewitt
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love the pic of the last moth, totally unexpected and so beautiful. My brother however, who is terrified of moths, would freak out!

didier.vuagnat avatar
DidierVuagnat
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We're still in " The Middle Âge" of knowledge of The miracle of Life but work hard and discover Allready so much

xavier.bouvet avatar
XavierBouvet
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This ranking is really beautiful, thank you! I have never seen such beautiful tracks!

kathleen.d.king avatar
KathleenKing
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Totally awesome! Amazing how different they look as moth/butterflies than when they are caterpillars.

ricky.gripon avatar
RickyGripon
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Attacus Atlas transformation its called in Philippines ( MARIPOSA ) sometimes can grow up to 12 inches diameter or bigger of wings :)

amy.s.malik avatar
AmyMalik
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I"ve seen a few of these and was actually stung by an acharia stimulea when I was young. You don't forget one that looks like that!

marissajones avatar
Marissa Jones
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This gives a whole new meaning to before and after photos for me... Pretty cool

marissajones avatar
Marissa Jones
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This gives a whole new meaning to the before and after photos for me... Pretty cool

Bernat avatar
Tyler
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

it is impossible to imagine how it will be butterfly... amazing!

544d820e87a94 avatar
544d820e87a94
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

O Reino dos insetos uma maravilha incontável no fascínio da desafiadora e venenosa beleza, Parabéns pelo capricho da postagem.Nota 10.!.

lorraine.phillips2 avatar
Lorraine Phillips
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nature is amazing. I think they are all beautiful but the caterpillars are the prettiest. I love some of those real furry moths..

544a1eeaa7c01 avatar
Naomi Mulligan
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I actually found the hairy ones very frightening and I don't usually mind moths or butterflies.

martha.donaldson.980 avatar
Martha Donaldson
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Stunning! I would have liked knowing what part of our world these are found in.

greg.strand2 avatar
GregStrand
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's amazing the changes in color they go through from caterpillar to butterfly!

nancy.harabedian avatar
Nancy Harabedian
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The Spicebush Swallowtail caterpillar actually has two eyes and a mouth. Cute!

jacqueline.cretes avatar
JacquelineCrêtes
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

j'adore les papillons ,ils sont tres beaux, sauf certaines chenilles

Sioxie avatar
SuzannePowell
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Your pic of the blue swallowtail caterpillar looks more like a monarch caterpillar. Are you sure that's the right image?

gyregimble avatar
JamesHathaway
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's actually the Black Swallowtail caterpillar (the butterfly is under "Spicebush Swallowtail"). It is similarly striped.

Load More Replies...
nicole.gilbert.520 avatar
NicoleGilbert
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love butterflies, I even have framed ones, I have a butterfly guide but havn't found a book that has both catapillars & butterflies, so th

mertymoo avatar
MertyRobinson
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was a kid my brother told me that the 'dust' moths are covered in was the dessicated remains of corpses. Phobia still with me. Ew!!

kim.boggan.5 avatar
KimBoggan
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Weird, wonderful and downright beautiful. Definitely worth a look!

544d7dc41645e avatar
ChristineGroda
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Amazing reflection of GOD'S LOVE ❤ THIS IS THE SYMBOL OF GLORY OF GOD'S BEAUTY IN CHANGING HEARTS

Popular on Bored Panda
Trending on Bored Panda
Also on Bored Panda