Radiolab - on the mysterious transformation of butterflies

A few weeks ago, a friend of ours found some interesting looking caterpillars in her garden. Recently, my wife and I had purchased some caterpillars for our kids to watch as they grew, formed chrysalises, and emerged as butterflies (painted ladies). So, the friend passed hers along to us in hopes that we could repeat the process.

I have to say, this time around, not knowing exactly what kind of caterpillars we had or what kind of butterfly would emerge, the processes was especially intriguing. They did all the things that caterpillars do, they ate and crawled around, and eventually formed chrysalises of their own, and then, just yesterday, they emerged:

Not having had a ton of experience with this kind of thing, I can say that these are some of the more beautiful butterflies I've ever seen (I looked it up: they are "Eastern Black Swallow Tails").


These stunning new butterflies reminded me of a story I heard on Radiolab not too long ago.

The story was about the fact that, when it comes to this process, this change from caterpillar to butterfly, we are actually still pretty in the dark about what exactly is happening inside that curious little chrysalis.

To whet your appetite a bit -- one of the things they discuss is the fact that, if you cut open a chrysalis in the middle of the transformation, you wouldn't find some caterpillar in there working on growing wings or changing color. What you would find.. is goo... a nondescript, gooey liquid, made of the dissolved parts of the former caterpillar, to be exact.  

So what does that say about the connection between the caterpillar and the butterfly? 

Is there a connection?

The amazing folks over at Radiolab ask those and a whole series of really fascinating questions that may even have some implications for who we are -- but you'll have to listen to the segment to hear them.

Check it out:

Radiolab: Goo and You