No Eating for Two Weeks?

If I could not eat for two weeks or longer, I would surely die. I can barely skip a meal without feeling like I would pass out from hunger. Thankfully, I haven't ever had to go hungry. Heraldo is currently on day 7 without eating, and I have a feeling he has a long time still to go in the chrysalis. I wonder if he had to store up nutrients before he went into the stage, or if his body simply does not need food at this time. There are so many unknowns about the chrysalis stage of butterflies. Some other types of butterflies can be in the chrysalis for months, and will often use this time as a way to survive through the winter. That reminds me of a hibernating bear, except bears don't completely change forms by the time they wake up! The chrysalis looks as same as ever--a solid, somewhat glossy, casing around little Heraldo.