How Long Does It Take for a Caterpillar to Hatch From a Cocoon?

Moths and butterflies go through a four-stage life cycle to complete metamorphosis. The stages include egg, larva, pupa and adult. Once a moth has mated, it deposits the eggs where the larva or caterpillar can find food. The caterpillar grows and enters the pupal stage, where it begins the transformation into a moth. After a time, the moth hatches and begins the cycle again.