How to Show a Child the Life Cycle of a Butterfly

The metamorphism of a butterfly is amazing, but so few of us actually get to witness it. Children especially are in awe of caterpillars and butterflies. This article will tell you how to get a first hand look at the beautiful stages a butterfly goes through.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. A good way to watch the life cycle of a butterfly is to purchase a butterfly kit. These kits are sold in select stores and on the internet, so do some research to find out where they are available. Prices for these kits will range from around $25.00 to $30.00. I prefer to find them at a local store so that I avoid shipping costs.

2. Once you have your kit, take out the coupon inside. You will mail it in to the company that you made your purchase from. This coupon is redeemable for live caterpillars and their food. Most kits do not charge you extra for the larva but some might so make sure to check out your kit before you buy it. Your caterpillars will take 4 to 6 weeks to arrive. Once they do, simply observe them in their container. DO NOT allow them to be held as this might disturb the life cycle process. Kids will find it very interesting to watch the caterpillars eat (and eat and eat) and then grow bigger (and bigger and bigger)! There is absolutely no upkeep during the caterpillar stage. They have all the food they will need and you do not have to empty the container of any waste.

3. Over the next couple of days you and your child(ren) will see the caterpillars crawl to the top of the container and hang from the lid. You will then watch them spin themselves into their chrysalides. Once all of the caterpillars are in their chrysalides, you will gently unscrew the lid. The company has placed a piece of paper inside the lid (which the caterpillars have attached to) that will allow you to conveniently transport the caterpillars to their new home.

4. You will continue to watch the caterpillars in their chrysalides over the next couple of days. You can explain to your child(ren) the changes that are taking place inside the chrysalides. Now would be a great time to read books on the life cycle of a butterfly. Soon you will be able to observe the butterflies emerging form their chrysalides. When the they emerge you will see a damp butterfly with limp wings. Over the next hour, blood is pumped through the wings and their wings will begin to take shape and dry.

5. You can continue to observe your butterflies in their home. Gather fresh flowers from outside to put in with the butterflies. Use the eye dropper that came with your kit to drop sugar water onto the flowers. Notice the butterfly's proboscis (tongue) uncurl, get the sugar water and then curl it's proboscis back up to it's mouth to eat. After a day or two of observing, release your butterflies outside so that they can carry on their journey.

6. This will be a truly amazing adventure for you and your child(ren) to witness. You can reuse your butterfly house for years to come. You will simply need to purchase the caterpillars every year.

Tips & Warnings

• The same companies that sell butterfly kits also sell other insect kits like ladybug kits.

[AmyRose]

on 3/18/2009 Lovely idea and article, 5*

[dtwelloh]

on 3/16/2009 Excellent, this is really a very good step by step. I am doing this with my grandkids for sure. Great info and a well writen article. 5*