Butterflies: Video Series

Butterfly farming is a huge industry around the world from large-scale conservatories to private backyard butterfly gardens. Discover how these beautiful insects are grown with information from a butterfly conservatory curator in this free video on butterflies.

Taking care of a butterfly house depends on its scale, but planting flowers that butterflies like, hanging supplemental nectar feeders, providing fruit trees and maintaining proper light will encourage butterflies to thrive. Create a welcome environment for these winged creatures with information from a butterfly conservatory curator in this free video on butterflies.

Butterfly food is made out of any sugars, such as sugar water, over-ripe fruit and nectar from flowers. Find out how butterflies get nutrients from nature with information from a butterfly conservatory curator in this free video on butterflies.

A caterpillar turns into a butterfly through a process of molting after it chews itself out of the egg, as the chrysalis and chrysalides exist inside the caterpillar as it grows and sheds skin. Understand the full process of metamorphosis with information from a butterfly conservatory curator in this free video on butterflies.

The life span of a monarch butterfly ranges from three weeks to nine months, depending on whether it is a migratory monarch or not. Explore the life cycle of monarchs with information from a butterfly conservatory curator in this free video on butterflies.

A butterfly will stay in a chrysalis from five days to a year, depending on the time of year, the climate and the environmental state. Find out why some butterflies stay in their chrysalises longer with information from a butterfly conservatory curator in this free video on butterflies.

Butterflies usually hatch from their chrysalis cocoons in the spring, but they can hatch any time of year in tropical climates. Understand the variables that affect when butterflies hatch with information from a butterfly conservatory curator in this free video on butterflies.

Butterflies build chrysalis cocoons by finding a sheltered area, hanging upside-down and shedding its skin to expose the chrysalis. Discover the chrysalis stage of this insect's life with information from a butterfly conservatory curator in this free video on butterflies.

To find butterfly chrysalises and moth cocoons, look on branches, under leaves, near water and on plants that caterpillars like to eat. Locate chrysalises and cocoons before predators find them with information from a butterfly conservatory curator in this free video on butterflies.

Taking care of a butterfly cocoon or chrysalis requires putting it in a large container in the springtime until it hatches or keeping it in a cool environment during the winter. Care for a butterfly cocoon until it is ready to emerge with information from a butterfly conservatory curator in this free video on butterflies.

Many different butterflies are yellow, but a two common ones are the Tiger Swallowtail and the Sulfur butterfly. Identify different species of yellow butterflies with information from a butterfly conservatory curator in this free video on butterflies.

Monarch butterflies have four visible legs, two legs tucked under the head, bright orange wings and white spots over the whole body. Discover the features of both male and female monarchs with information from a butterfly conservatory curator in this free video on butterflies.