Watch the butterflies grow
Some weeks ago I ordered some butterfly caterpillars from Insect Lore. Kathy, my kids tutor, thought it would be good for the kids to watch the different stages of a butterfly’s growth. Kathy had already done the butterfly thing at the kindergarten she teaches, and already had most of the equipment like the butterfly cage.
The order arrived within a few days with instructions on what to do with each stage. I did not think to document the progress of the caterpillars and so I did not take any picture of the caterpillars, until later that is! There were five caterpillars in the cup, and the instruction said to move them when they have all climbed to the top of the cup and reached the chrysalis stage.
Kathy helped move them from the cup into this cage. We used cellophane tape to stick the piece of paper that lined the cap of the cup and from which the chrysalis hung.
This was the first of the butterflies that came out of the cocoon. Two more came out in the afternoon. The following day the last two came out. I placed some fresh flowers in the cage and sprinkled sugar water on the flowers.
On the third day, after the last two butterflies had come out of the cocoon we decided to release them. Denice did not witness the release because she was afraid to get too close to the butterflies and the geese that were wandering in the back yard.
The butterflies in the cage before they were released.
They butterflies needed some help getting out of the cage.
Four butterflies flew away and I couldn’t see where they eventually disappeared to. The last one flew up towards the quince tree and landed on some flowers. She feasted on the flowers and stayed there for quite a while.
The name of this particular butterfly is the painted lady. It is the most common type of butterfly found in this country. Maybe next year we can try a different kind of insect for the kids to watch as they grow.
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wooooohhh…what an interesting experiment you get for your children!! Duncan seem interested..too bad Denice afraid.I guess every gal afraid of slimy things…but not my Mishu,she is so daring.Mishu saw the butterfly when I open your page,she keep said wooooooo…aahhh….lol!!She love butterfly,but I just buy her the catcher in summer.Our yard full of butterfly during summer..oh! Btw,I like your 3 column templete,save more space,Do you mind me asking where you get your sample?.
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Puteri reply on April 25, 2008:
It was a fun project for them! But Denice was afraid to get too close and refused to watch the release of the butterflies.
Whoa!
Denice must be very enthusiastic with the life stages of those gorgeous butterflies. Unlucky me, my daughter is so scared of them. She always cry and would run like crazy when see those flying around.
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Puteri reply on April 25, 2008:
Denice enthusiastic? Takut meda butterfly! Sama lah enggau anak nuan!