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When a caterpillar reaches a certain age of maturity, as it transforms within its cocoon or chrysalis, a specific group of cells which scientists call 'imaginal discs' or imaginal cells, become active. The change in the imaginal cells is so great that the rest of the catepillar's cells attack the imaginal cells, thinking they are foreign bodies. The imaginal cells don't fight back, they just keep reproducing until the caterpillar's body breaks down in the effort of fighting them off. Once this happens, the imaginal cells use the energy from the destroyed body of the caterpillar to create an entirely new creature -- the moth or butterfly. Photomanipulation made from royalty free stock images from here: http://www.imageafter.com/image.php?image=b1moth001.jpg&size=full&download=no and here: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/708099