看著毛毛蟲變成蝴蝶

看著毛毛蟲變成蝴蝶

Butterflies are some of the most spectacular and beautiful creatures on our planet. There's nothing quite like seeing the vibrant color of their wings floating in a clear blue sky.

蝴蝶是地球上最壯觀、最美麗的生物之一。沒有什么比看到它們的翅膀在湛藍(lán)的天空中充滿活力的顏色更好的了。

And isn't it curious that Mother Nature chose caterpillars to be the starting point?

大自然選擇毛毛蟲作為出發(fā)點(diǎn)，難道不奇怪嗎?

The process starts when a fully grown caterpillar forms a vessel using nearby twigs and leaves called a chrysalis. This pupa stage can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months depending on the species.

這一過程開始于一條完全生長的毛蟲用附近的樹枝和樹葉形成一個(gè)容器，稱為蛹。這個(gè)蛹階段可以持續(xù)幾周到幾個(gè)月不等，這取決于物種。

A hardened case forms around pupa as a protective layer from predators and weather, while the transformation begins inside.

蛹周圍形成了一層堅(jiān)硬的外殼，作為一層保護(hù)層，抵御捕食者和天氣的侵襲，同時(shí)蛹內(nèi)部也開始發(fā)生變化。

A caterpillar transforms into a butterfly. (Photo: Videoblocks)

The process inside the cocoon is quite messy, as enzymes break down some of the caterpillar's structures into a chemical soup of sorts. Only essential parts of its body remain intact.

繭內(nèi)的過程相當(dāng)混亂，因?yàn)槊笗?huì)把毛蟲的一些結(jié)構(gòu)分解成某種化學(xué)湯。只有身體的重要部分完好無損。

One of those essential parts are imaginal discs, which are hidden in the caterpillar's body during its lifespan. Once metamorphosis kicks in, these cells divide and multiply rapidly.

其中一個(gè)重要部分是成象盤，成象盤在毛蟲的一生中隱藏在它的身體里。一旦變形開始，這些細(xì)胞就迅速分裂和繁殖。

The cells eventually overwhelm the caterpillar's immune system and start using the nutrients and materials in the cocoon to form body parts for the butterfly, like eyes, antennae and wings.

這些細(xì)胞最終淹沒了毛毛蟲的免疫系統(tǒng)，并開始利用繭中的營養(yǎng)物質(zhì)和物質(zhì)，形成蝴蝶的身體部分，如眼睛、觸角和翅膀。

Once the butterfly assembles itself and is ready to emerge, the chrysalis splits open. The newly formed insect will crawl out, but will not fly due to its wet, soft, wrinkled wings.

一旦蝴蝶自己組裝好準(zhǔn)備出來，蛹就會(huì)裂開。新形成的昆蟲會(huì)爬出來，但不會(huì)飛，因?yàn)樗某岚虺睗?，柔軟，褶皺?/p>

The butterfly then begins to pump a fluid called hemolymph into its wings while they dry, which helps them grow in size and strength.

然后蝴蝶開始在翅膀干燥時(shí)將一種叫做血淋巴的液體泵入翅膀，這有助于它們的體型和力量的增長。

Once the wings are ready, the butterfly flaps its way into the air in search of flowers to feed on and mating partners so that the circle of life can continue.

一旦翅膀準(zhǔn)備好了，蝴蝶就會(huì)撲扇著翅膀飛向空中，尋找花朵和交配對(duì)象，這樣生命的循環(huán)就可以繼續(xù)下去。