The Life Cycle of a Butterfly

The Butterfly Life Cycle

I wrote this poem especially to help children to learn the facts about the butterfly life cycle, from emerging as a caterpillar right through to metamorphosis into a butterfly. The poem uses  lots of alliteration and some metaphors and is particularly good for children to use in sequencing each event, as there are 12 verses, which can be laid out in a clock style, returning to the beginning of the cycle. 

Teachers: Feel free to copy this nature poem to use  with children in class.

“I’ll land and lay my egg upon this luscious leaf of green”
Said Mum, the lady butterfly, as she purveyed the scene.

“I’ve formed a sticky substance round the egg to make it stay.
There’s lots of food nearby for me to eat on ‘hatching day’”

Then with a flutter of her wings, the butterfly has gone.
Meanwhile a transformation in the egg is going on.

A hungry caterpillar, in a week, has nibbled through.
The larva, as it’s called, has lots of eating left to do.

Over several weeks he only eats and moults his skin
To store more energy before the next stage can begin.

“I think I’ll hang from this twig as I spin my silky thread;
A belt around my middle and a pillow makes my bed.”

This chrysalis (or pupa) makes a solid storm-proof vest:
Cocooned within, the caterpillar now can safely rest.

Inside this shell the transformation can begin to start.
The larva is developing into a work of art.

The metamorphosis that happens in the next few days,
In my opinion, has to be the most amazing phase!

It’s usually a week to three, but might not be till Spring
Before the clear pupa breaks, revealing crumpled wings.

The butterfly now hangs around until its wings are dry,
Till finally it’s fully formed and can begin to fly.

Now back to the beginning of the generation game;
The eggs are laid afresh and then the cycle starts again.

This poem is excellent for sequencing, and I have presented it as a circular “THE LIFECYCLE OF A BUTTERFLY DIAGRAM” (click here to download) together with details of lots of websites which I used to research the topic.  Feel free to print off this poem for use in class.   Cut into twelve separate verses and then use sequencing skills to put them in the right order.

Tagged as: alliteration poems, alliteration poetry, alliterative poems, butterfly lifecycle, butterfly poem, insect poem, insect poems, lifecycle, metamorphosis, metaphor poetry, metaphors, nature poem