Pictures reveal the delicacy of the moth's lifecycle

This tropical jewel moth, Acraga coa, is found mostly in Central America. Jewel moths undergo a spectacular transformation: from translucent larvae covered in protective goo to vibrant fuzzy fliers.

Bright green blue-nose caterpillars, Acharia ophelians, rest on a leaf.

The African moon moth, Argema mimosae, is one of the giant silkworm moths. This species has no mouth parts, so during its short adult life, it has only one purpose: mating.

The luna moth, Actias luna, displays its 'defensive eyespots'. The moth's long tails befuddle the sonar of their greatest foe—bats.

A mulberry silkworm in the early stages of knitting a cocoon. It takes roughly 2,500 to 3,000 silkworm cocoons to make one yard (0.91 metres) of silk fabric.

The atlas moth, Attacus atlas, is native to Southeast Asia, southern China, and India. A giant among moths, it has a wingspan of nearly 25 to 30 centimetres (10 to 12 inches).

The colourful and spiky ornaments protruding from the back of this cecropia moth, Hyalophora cecropia, caterpillar aren’t just for looks. The lumps—called tubercles—are likely a defense against predators.

After emerging from her cocoon (left), this female cecropia moth, Hyalophora cecropia, rests to let her wings dry before taking flight. With a wingspan of up to six inches (roughly 15 centimeters), cecropia is the largest moth native to North America.

A looper moth, Macaria occiduuaria, flies in Mt. Hood National Forest, Oregon. As a caterpillar, the moth lacks a middle set of legs, which forces it to' inch' along and form loops with its body, earning it the common name looper.

Before spinning its cocoon, this wasp moth caterpillar sets up rings of fuzz to keep predatory ants at bay.

A wasp moth, Ctenucha virginica, from Cross Lake, Minnesota. Though most moths are nocturnal, this species is one of the few that flies during both the night and the day.

This puss caterpillar is irresistibly cute, but you'll regret it if you pet it. Beneath that furry overcoat is a bed of spines laced with a toxin that can cause intense pain, vomiting, and respiratory stress.

This stinging saturniid moth, Automeris metzli, caterpillar shows its stinging hairs in a defensive display in the Santa Rosa National Park, Costa Rica.

The tussock moth caterpillar comes in an array of brilliant colors. This is a warning to predators to steer clear—some tussock moths cause skin rashes, while others are toxic to eat.

Unlike the vibrant defence mechanisms of many moths and caterpillars, this little one capitalises on camouflage.