Finally, the adult butterfly emerges from the chrysalis, its wings still folded and useless. The newly-emerged butterfly has first to pump body-fluids into the veins of the wings, in order to extend the veins to their full length expanding the wing tissue between them.(005.MOV, Inachis io, emerging).

Within an hour or two, the wings have hardened enough, and the butterfly is ready for flight. Sometimes, this is not a complete success and a wing or a part of it, remains small or crumpled.

How long a butterfly lives, depends on the species. Most species only live for a short time, from a few days to a few weeks. However, species that pass the winter as an adult butterfly, such as the Brimstone, may live for up to year.