Watch a caterpillar become a butterfly.
In my constant search for ways to make nature accessible, here is another indoor activity.
This requires daily care, but the time invested brings joyous results.
Caterpillars typically eat one plant, so be sure to gather some of the plant when you collect the caterpillars. You may want to make additional houses for different species.
Materials:
- A large plastic food storage container with a fitted lid - square or rectangular, about 4-5 quart size
- A smaller container with lid to collect caterpillars
- A piece of cloth to cover the container and overlap all edges
- Plant pruner
- Matte knife
- Scissors
- Paper towels
- Plant spray mister
- Paintbrush
Procedure:
1. Cut a hole in the plastic lid with the matte knife, leaving about 1/4-inch rim inside the lid
2. Make sure the cloth fits over the container covering all sides, like a bird cage cover
This is caterpillar/butterfly house
3. Line the container bottom with overlapping layers of paper towels, about 1/4″ thick
4. Take your spare container outside and find a plant with caterpillars on the leaves
5. Use your paintbrush to remove caterpillars one at a time and place into spare container
6. Use your pruners to trim twigs and leaves for the caterpillar/butterfly house
7. Back home, spray the paper towels in the caterpillar/butterfly house with water
8. Arrange twigs and leaves on top of paper towels
9. Use your paintbrush to place caterpillars on leaves and twigs one at a time
10. Lay the cloth over the top of the house and secure the lid to hold the cloth in place
11. Place the container in a quiet place away from direct sunlight
12. Add fresh leaves every day, but do not prod or disturb caterpillars
13. Clean house every 2-3 days
14. When the caterpillar becomes a butterfly, set it free on a sunny day
To Clean House:
1. Remove lid from house.
2. Lift entire contents by lifting the paper towels
3. Wipe out house with damp cloth
4. Put a clean layer of overlapping towels in house
5. Spray with mister
6. Put fresh leaves and twigs in house
7. Use paintbrush to transfer caterpillars one at a time
8. Replace the cloth and the lid
Observing Metamorphosis:*
- Caterpillars will grow until they outgrow their skin. Have you watched this process?
- How many times does each species of caterpillar molt or outgrow its skin?
- How long does it take the caterpillar to become a chrysalis? What does the chrysalis look like?
- How long does it take for the chrysalis to become a butterfly?
- How long does it take for the butterfly to unfold its wings?
* VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: Caterpillars and butterflies are very sensitive, so you should not touch them, because you might injure them. It’s tempting to touch an emerging butterfly, but if you don’t wait for it to unfold its wings, and let the wings harden and dry, the butterfly will not survive.
NOTE: I’m always looking for ways to improve projects and activities. Contact me with your results or if anything is unclear to you.