Do Butterflies Lay Eggs? 5 questions answered

Butterflies lay between 300 and 1,000 eggs in the first stage of their lifecycle. These eggs act as the protection and then food source of hungry caterpillars.

1. What is the Purpose of Butterfly Eggs?

Some species of butterflies lay around 300 eggs, while others may get up to 1,000. This high number of eggs serves to ensure the species will continue existing.

After the female butterfly mates with the male butterfly, she will find the right host plant to lay eggs. For example, Monarch butterflies use milkweed.

Since the caterpillar will eat the plant, the female butterfly lays eggs on the specific host plant species. She looks for the right leaf color and shape, and checks the leaves by beating them with her feet.

That’s when the butterfly life cycle begins. Eggs are the first stage, which lasts up to 7 days. Butterfly eggs serve as protection but also a food source for newly born caterpillars. Once the egg hatches and turns into a caterpillar, it will start eating them and the leaves it was latched onto.

2. Can butterflies lay eggs without mating?

As a general rule, butterflies lay eggs after mating. In the case the mating process hasn’t happened, the female butterfly will keep searching for a mate, but won’t lay eggs, as there is nothing to lay. Some moth species may lay unfertilized eggs, but this is not common.

3. What Do Butterfly Eggs Look Like?

Butterflies’ eggs are small, usually the size of a pinhead. The eggs may be round, cylindrical, or oval, depending on the species.

Their color varies and can come in yellow, green, white, and other shades. Some eggs have a smooth outer surface, while others are rough. Butterfly eggs can also be carved with ridges or decorated with spots.

The eggshell contains thousands of microscopic pores called aeropyles. There are also funnel-shaped openings (micropiles) on top of each egg. These serve to bring water and air to the egg.

Each egg is also wrapped in a hard shell called the chorion, which acts as protection. Inside the egg is a yolk, which serves as nourishment for the soon-to-become larva.

4. When Do Butterflies Lay Eggs?

Butterflies will mate as soon as they reach sexual maturity — one hour after getting out from the pupa. Many species of butterflies will mate and lay eggs in spring and early summer, while others may do this in the autumn.

For example, the Monarch butterfly goes through 4 generations annually, the first starting in March and the last occurring in October.

5. How to Find Butterfly Eggs?

Finding butterfly eggs can be tricky. Since the eggs are so tiny, finding them in the wild is almost impossible. You can look for eggs of a specific color.

For example, garden butterflies lay yellowish eggs that are easily noticed on a green leaf. You can also check which butterfly likes which host plant. For example:

• Monarch butterfly eggs are located on milkweed plant
• Zebra longwing butterflies will lay eggs on passion flower vines
• Black swallowtail butterflies will use carrots, parsley, fennel, or dill
• Gulf butterflies like passion vines

Additionally, you can check the butterfly habitats. Species in North America often use milkweed, a common plant in the area. Regardless of your location, there are high chances you’ll miss the eggs completely and only notice butterfly caterpillars around your yard.

Brief butterfly life cycle overview

The whole process of growing into an adult butterfly is quite complex. Butterflies go through complete metamorphosis, meaning they transform from one stage to another. The complete metamorphosis occurs in 4 stages:

1. The egg
2. The larval stage (caterpillar)
3. The pupa (chrysalis)
4. The adult butterfly (imago)

Butterfly Life Cycle explained

Egg-laying stage	The most important stage when the butterfly’s life begins
Caterpillar stage	Also called the feeding stage, during which the butterfly is highly vulnerable
Chrysalis stage	The last stage before the emergence of adult butterfly
Adult stage	The final stage with adult butterfly ready to fly and mate

The egg-laying stage is the most important in the butterfly life cycle. Eggs are fertilized with the sperm the female butterfly kept in her body since mating. Some butterflies will lay eggs in clusters, while others will just lay one egg. The eggs will be attached to a host plant via a special sticky fluid.

Additionally, each egg will be protected with a chorion, the outermost membrane around the embryo. This covers and protects the future larva. The butterfly will keep this form for about 3 to 7 days.

After the egg stage, there comes the caterpillar stage. This is also called the feeding stage. At this moment, the caterpillar hatches from the egg. The caterpillar will grow by molting its skin. This stage is the most vulnerable and has high mortality rates.

Then comes the pupal stage. Now, the caterpillar develops the pupa shell under its skin. This stage occurs in cocoons, usually attached to a host plant, but it depends on the butterfly species.

Finally, the cycle finishes in the fourth stage, with a fully grown butterfly emerging from the chrysalis. After a few hours, its wings will straighten, and the butterfly will be ready to fly. During its life span, it will continue the lifecycle by looking for mates and laying eggs.