THE CATERPILLAR LAB VIDEO RESOURCES
PUPATION
When a caterpillar pupates, it sheds off its final layer of caterpillar skin. After shedding, its body is no longer in its larva (caterpillar) stage. The creature has become a pupa! In butterfly species, the pupa is called a chrysalis. For more detailed information about pupation, please explore our original resources below:
TCL Original Videos • Accompanying Narratives • TCL Pupation FAQs and Teaching Guide
When a caterpillar pupates, it sheds off its final layer of caterpillar skin. After shedding, its body is no longer in its larva (caterpillar) stage. The creature has become a pupa! In butterfly species, the pupa is called a chrysalis. For more detailed information about pupation, please explore our original resources below:
TCL Original Videos • Accompanying Narratives • TCL Pupation FAQs and Teaching Guide
Pupation Master Document FAQs
The videos we have posted below may bring up even more questions than they answer. Use our pupation FAQ guide combined with our video narratives to become an expert!
Cecropia Moth (Hyalophora cecropia)
What happens to a cocoon-spinning caterpillar’s body once it’s inside its cocoon? Watch this video to find out! Click the link below the video for a detailed explanation of what’s happening here.
PDF description of this video. Find more resources like this on each video page
Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor)
How do butterfly caterpillars pupate? Check out this example of the process! Click the link below the video for a detailed explanation of what’s happening here.
PDF description of this video. Find more resources like this on each video page
Buck Moth (Hemileuca lucina)
How does a spiny caterpillar look when it pupates? Watch this video and see! Click the link below the video for a detailed explanation of what’s happening here.
PDF description of this video. Find more resources like this on each video page
Regal Moth (Citheronia regalis)
What happens when one of the world’s largest caterpillars pupates? See for yourself in the video below! Click the link below the video for a detailed explanation of what’s happening here.
PDF description of this video. Find more resources like this on each video page