Big Butterfly
Butterfly Project For Kids And Adults
A great project to teach children to protect and respect nature and to give them a bit of perspective on their own life is to allow them to watch caterpillars turn into butterflies. We have a safe way to do this, without harming the caterpillars or butterflies.
Once you have created a successful butterfly garden,for this project, be sure to plant a few of the smaller host plants (like Asclepias) in smaller pots which you can move and remove easy within your butterfly garden. Once your plants are fairly established and beginning to flower, you can begin the first stage of this project.
Watch closely for butterflies to become interested in these host plants. Remember, butterflies do not feed from the host plants, they lay their eggs on them and caterpillars feed from them. You may notice butterflies landing on the host plants and staying for a moment or two. They are, most likely, laying their eggs. Once you see this happen, watch for caterpillars to begin to emerge in a few days (3-5 days, usually).
You will know caterpillars have emerged when you begin to see your host plants begin munched on. Leave them undisturbed until they begin to get fat (fatter than the width of an average pencil and longer than 2 inches) which usually takes about a week and a half. Once they get big enough, take a leaf and gently transfer them from the plant they are on to one of your potted host plants.
Then, take a square of fine wire netting (or screen) a few inches taller than the plant and pot combined but no wider than the top of the pot (the area of soil) and roll it to create a cone shape. Take some bread twist ties (or soft wire) and secure the shape.
Cut the bottom of the wire cone (the large end NOT the small end) so that you can fit it tightly in the soil near the edges of the pot and then simply cover the plant with the caterpillar with the cone and secure it by twisting the cone slightly into the soil.
Put the pot with the cone over it in a shaded area where it is easily visible by you and your child but still remains mainly undisturbed and comfortable. As well, do not put it them in a high traffic area or where sounds or vibrations may disturb it. A nice quiet place is the best place to watch your caterpillar turn into a butterfly.
Soon, your caterpillar will begin to attach to either the plant or the screen and hang upside down, preparing for the big change. Within the next 24 hours, the caterpillar will be secure in the chrysalis stage for about ten days.
The chrysalis stays about the same for about a week and there is really not much to see, at this point. During this time, you will want to open up your cone in preparation for a better view and release of your butterfly. You can do this by either opening up your twist ties or cutting the screen to open it. Be sure to be very careful, to keep from disturbing the chrysalis, remember that your future butterfly is alive and growing, at this stage.
After about a week, the color of the chrysalis will turn dark. Then, in the next couple of days, you may begin to see a bit of murky color from the butterfly wings. When this happens, watch closely because you may have a butterfly within the day or even a couple of hours.
As the butterfly emerges, you will begin to see movement. The chrysalis will break open and a butterfly will emerge. However, it takes some time for the butterfly to get its blood pumping enough to fly away so you will have some time to watch the transformation which is quite incredible. Once your butterfly flies away, don’t worry, if you have provided an adequate food supply in your garden, it will be back.
About the Author
David McKinley shares his knowledge at Butterfly Garden News. A website for anyone interested in nature and natural living.
|
|
Thermos Stainless King SK1005MB4 16-Ounce Leak-Proof Travel Mug, Midnight Blue $18.87 16 OZ, Leak Proof Travel Tumbler, Patented Thermos Vacuum Insulation Technology For Maximum Temperature Retention, Hot Or Cold, Unbreakable Stainless Steel Interior & Exterior, Cool To The Touch With Hot Liquids, Sweat Proof With Cold, Fits Most Automobile Cup Holders…. |
|
|
Wilton 2304-1050 101-Piece Cookie Cutter Set $11.16 Christmas, Halloween, Easter, Valentine’s Day…cookie cutters for every season, and more! With a complete set of letters and numbers, designs for cowboys, stars, cars and animals, you’ll be ready for any occasion. Durable plastic cutters come in a convenient storage container. Hand wash. (2-1/2 to 6-1/4)… |
|
|
Thermos Nissan 26-Ounce Vacuum-Insulated Hydration Bottle $25.00 Thermos 26-ounce hydration bottle is made with Thermax double wall vacuum insulation for maximum temperature retention and is BPA free. This technology was designed to keep drinks refreshingly cold for up to 12 hours. Made with unbreakable stainless steel interior and exterior, with a sweat-proof design: it wont leave water rings. Twist off lid protects spout from dirt and germs: ideal for water, … |
|
|
Floetic $9.90 It’s hard to imagine two more talented hipsters than Floetry singer Marsha Ambrosius and emcee Natalie Stewart, a.k.a. the Songstress and Floacist. The U.K. duo’s Floetic debut has it all–smooth R&B, soulful jazz, hip-hop, spoken word, supple ballads and a warmth that cradles the listener from beginning to end. In short, it’s exquisitely, decidedly feminine. The pair occasional raise the roof wit… |
|
|
Best Opera Album In The World … Ever! $8.46 … |
|
|
Kids Songs $12.00 This CD is a mixture of original learning songs written by A.J. Jenkins and some well-known, traditional children’s songs. The phonics songs on this CD are designed to help the youngest of children take the first steps on the road to reading. Enjoy learning and have fun. A.J. Jenkins  18 TRACKS1. ABC Song2. Phonics Song3. Phonics Song 24. The Letter Sounds Song5. Five Little Monkeys6. ABC Seven …
|
|
|
Little Einsteins – Our Huge Adventure [VHS] $19.99 Little Einsteins is an exciting, educational program created by Disney and Baby Einstein that combines animation, real-life photography, and famous music and artwork with instantly likeable characters who have a passion for music and adventure. In this DVD prelude to the Playhouse Disney series (premier October 2005), Leo, June, Quincy, Annie, and Rocket set out to help a little caterpillar find… |
|
|
Above The Big Island Hawai’i – On the Wings of a Butterfly $19.95 Explore the Big Island of Hawaii by helicopter, including the coasts of Kona and Kohala, above the snow-capped Mauna Kea, and over the world-famous Parker Ranch, the world’s largest privately owned cattle ranch. All this and more on this island-produced video…. |
|
|
Asian Japanese Cherry Blossom Tree Vinyl Wall Art Decal $22.99 One Asian Japanese Cherry Blossom measuring roughly 15″ x 45″ Manufactured and Marketed Exclusively from The Custom Vinyl Shop. We offer over 12 Stock Colors with 50 additional colors available upon request (Slight Delay in Manufacturing time will apply). Please email us after your purchase to specify your vinyl color choice. The Custom Vinyl Shop’s vinyl lettering and wall decals are made from th… |
|
|
Moonrays Glass Ball Fixture … |