| After mating, the females lay their eggs
on particular plants, which are referred to as "host plants."
As soon as the larva hatch from their eggs, they begin eating the
plants. After a few days, caterpillars hatch and they, too, immediately begin eating; their only goal is to grow. |
 Cithaeria aurorina (Glasswing) |
Depending on the species, it takes between two and ten weeks to reach their final size. During this time, the caterpillar sheds its skin four to six times. Then they move around until they find a secure place. There they hang themselves with a silk belt and turn into a pupa or chrysalis. At this stage, within the pupa shell, the tissues of the larva are broken down by chemical process, and reconstructed into a completely different animal -- the adult butterfly. This process takes from one week to several months. |
 Pre pupa of the Papilio thoas (yellow-and-black swallowtail) |
When the adult butterfly emerges from the pupa, it starts to pump blood, air and quitine into the wrinkled wings. When the wings are fully expanded, the butterfly is able to fly and the cycle starts again. The life span of the butterfly is less than two weeks. |
 |
We've
worked hard to fulfill our dream of breeding one of the world's most
beautiful creatures -- butterflies. 
Iquitos is situated near the confluence of the Nanay and Amazon rivers. Our butterfly farm and Animal Orphanage are on the banks of the Nanay River. As we love nature, and are conscious of the threats to flora and fauna, we hope that our efforts will enable our visitors to increase interest in and love of our natural world and help with conservation efforts. 
Click on the Pilpintuwasi Sign or the Flight Area (above) to view more images of our beautiful butterflies. Opportunities are available for volunteers. Please email Gudrun for details. |
Amazon Animal Orphanage · Pilpintuwasi Butterfly Farm · Privacy · Home
Amazon Animal Orphanage
Pilpintuwasi Butterfly Farm
www.AmazonAnimalOrphanage.org
pilpintuwasi@hotmail.com
063-23-2665
Padre Cocha
Iquitos, Peru