Yes - pretty amazing, eh? My youngest brother was an avid moth and butterfly collector* in his teens, and "hatched" out quite a few from chrysalis and cocoons, including some VERY large Cecropia moths. (One was within 1/4" of being a State record.)
He had, by age 13, a collection that amazed even the etymologists at the large university near us. They said it might be the best one in our end of the state!
I am in awe of this amazing process. I guess I’ve had other things to pay attention to, but this year, my milkweed patch was so large that I saw Monarchs there every day for weeks, which turned into hundreds of caterpillars out there. I only “rescued” the last 35 of them, and only because we had that cold spell in the evenings for 5 or so days. They already have enough trouble making it through. I figured I could at least give them a temporary home.
I pay more attention to birds and flowers than butterflies, but the metamorphosis is a stunning event. I’m glad I’ve gotten to see this.