After hatching from an egg, a butterfly begins the caterpillar stage. During this time, it grows rapidly and will shed its skin four or more times. I have not yet seen my caterpillar's shed skin, but it is already bigger today than it was yesterday. I have also observed some of my friends' caterpillars, and theirs are all at different stages of growth. Mine seems fairly average when compared to the others. Much of my caterpillar's time is spent feeding on the bottom of the small carton I have have him in.
My particular species of caterpillar is the Vanessa Cardui, also known as the Painted Lady Butterfly. According to online information about this species of butterfly, it will probably be in the caterpillar stage for 12-18 days. (http://insects.about.com/od/butterfliesmoths/p/Vcardui.htm)
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