DAPHNE, Ala. — Metamorphosis was Tuesday’s lesson at the Daphne Public Library’s summer reading program. About a dozen teens learned about a butterfly’s life cycle through literature and displayed specimen.

Carroll Lovell-Saas, of the Biophilia Nature Center in Elberta, brought plants, larvae, pupae and eggs for teens to observe as she taught the life cycle order and characteristics.

They looked at black-swallow tail butterfly eggs on dill plants under lenses to begin the process.

Next, teens watched as caterpillars ate and pupae camouflaged themselves into brown or green cocoons.

Lovell-Saas also brought plants such as the passion vine and milkweed — also butterfly food, she said.

“The moms are always looking for food plants to lay their eggs on,” she said.

One caterpillar on display demonstrated a defense mechanism: stinky slime emitted from horns that erected from its head when it sensed danger.

Also during the session, a variegated fritillary butterfly emerged from its cocoon; the teens released it into the courtyard area beside the library.

Another cocoon emergence happened, to Emma Wilson’s surprise. The 11-year-old suddenly felt a tickle on her ankle and discovered a butterfly resting there. Lovell-Saas explained a common misconception: Butterflies don’t wait for their wings to dry after emergence, she said. A small amount of feces drips from the wings, but has nothing to do with the process. The wings are actually pumped full of blood before flight, she said.

Lovell-Saas handed out booklets and a list of plants that are common butterfly foods, hoping the information would encourage teens to plant these types, she said.

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