The process for a caterpillar to turn into a butterfly, known as complete metamorphosis, involves four stages: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and adult butterfly. Duration of Each Stage:

• Egg stage: Typically lasts about 4 to 10 days before hatching into a caterpillar

• Caterpillar (larva) stage: The caterpillar grows rapidly, shedding its skin multiple times, and this stage usually lasts around 10 to 21 days depending on the species and conditions

• Pupa (chrysalis) stage: The caterpillar forms a chrysalis where it undergoes transformation. This stage generally takes about 10 to 14 days, though it can be longer for some species or under cooler conditions. Inside, the caterpillar's body is reorganized into a butterfly

• Adult butterfly stage: After emerging, the adult butterfly lives for about one to two weeks, although some species may live longer, especially if they hibernate

Overall Timeframe: From egg to adult butterfly, the entire metamorphosis can take approximately 3 to 4 weeks (about 23 to 30 days) for many species like the monarch butterfly, but it can vary widely from just over 30 days to several months depending on the species and environmental factors

. In summary, it typically takes about a month for a caterpillar to turn into a butterfly, with the pupal stage lasting around two weeks during which the major transformation occurs inside the chrysalis