How long does a caterpillar stay in a chrysalis?

The caterpillar remains in the chrysalis for as little as 2 weeks as the body is transformed into the body of a butterfly. Some species sit over winter, and the butterfly emerges in the spring.

A few days before the emergence of the adult butterfly, the chrysalis becomes translucent, and the butterfly coloring and wings are visible though the chrysalis. The chrysalis splits, and a new butterfly is born.