Ned Hammond age 12 of Spokane. Wash.,

How is a chrysalis different from a cocoon?

Last week, Andy told about the silken cocoons that certain moths spin for themselves. Other insects that take a beauty sleep wrap themselves in chrysalises. A chrysalis is actually the outer skin of a caterpillar. It hardens and sets in a firm case around the fat, soft body. Inside, marvelous things are happening to change the worm, or larva, into a full grown insect. When the job is done, the hard case will crack open and the adult insect will struggle out. A cocoon is a blanket of silk woven around and around the sleeping insect. He weaves it himself before dozing off.

The best protection for a chrysalis or a cocoon is to escape notice. Most insects sleep in covers that match their surroundings. The pupa of the mourning cloak butterfly is a brown, spikey chrysalis that could be mistaken for an elm or hickory twig. The chrysalis of the angel wing butterfly could be taken for a folded, faded hop leaf. Certain moths disguise their cocoons by spinning right inside a folded leaf.