A closer look
Caterpillars do not simply grow wings inside a chrysalis, they completely dissolve themselves into a nutrient-rich, cellular soup before rebuilding their entire bodies. Enzymes break down almost all their tissues, leaving only highly specialized imaginal discs that use the protein sludge to rapidly construct the eyes, legs, and wings of a butterfly. Biologists have even proven that despite being entirely liquified, the resulting butterfly still retains memories of experiences it had as a caterpillar. It is a stunning display of biological regeneration that makes human puberty look completely trivial, considering we just get terrible acne and awkward voice cracks while insects casually undergo a literal death and liquid resurrection
