A sphinx moth in the making

Macro photo of a green caterpillar with black and white stripes, hanging upside down from a branch.

The butterfly settles on a support, often a leaf, to lay fertilized eggs.

After 5 to 10 days, the eggs hatch and a caterpillar emerges.

The caterpillar grows, feeds a lot and develops, later wrapping itself in a cocoon.

It then becomes a chrysalis and spends 2 to 4 weeks in this cocoon, where it gradually transforms into a butterfly.

Finally, the butterfly emerges from its chrysalis.

You can also find this photo on other platforms:

  • Add it to your favs on Flickr, like 50+ others
Map showing location of “A sphinx moth in the making” in Saint-Pierre-d'Oléron, France

Saint-Pierre-d'Oléron, France

Locate it on the interactive global map