What's the difference between and chrysalis and a cocoon?Updated 2 years ago

You may be wondering, what's the difference between a chrysalis and a cocoon? While the words may be used interchangeably, they actually are two different things! 

A chrysalis is a hard outer shell that protects the butterfly pupa as it develops. A chrysalis may look very still, but there is a lot going on inside! The chrysalis stage is an important step where the caterpillar metamorphoses into a butterfly. The vast majority of butterfly species form chrysalides and do not form cocoons. 

A cocoon is made of silk and is spun by some species of moths during their pupal stage. A few moth species go through metamorphosis in underground chambers. 

While they may use different methods, butterflies and moths go through a similar metamorphosis while inside their chrysalis or cocoon.