Science Fun: From Caterpillar to Butterfly - Observing the Butterfly Life Cycle

A few weeks ago we got our caterpillars from Insect Lore.

We raised caterpillars last year and the Lil Divas loved it,

so I was excited to do it again with them this year.

Our caterpillars arrived larger than usual

& I think it's because delivery took awhile

and they were happily eating in transit.

Day 1 (after arrival)

Day 3 - they were getting bigger fast

Day 5 - we woke up to 2 chrysalis!

Day 7 - the girls got to observe the j shape before the chrysalis

Day 9 - We had all 5 caterpillars make their chrysalis

One had fallen so I just lay it down 

in the pavilion & hoped for the best.

In less than a week our first 2 butterflies emerged.

The Lil Divas were so excited to see them.

The Painted Lady Butterflies were beautiful.

The wings look so unassuming,

until they fully open.

Over the course of the next few days,

all 5 of our butterflies successfully emerged.

We fed them orange slices and sugar water.

It was wonderful to observe them.

The Lil Divas watched them eat, walk and eventually fly.

Once they were strong enough & their wings were dry,

we had a releasing ceremony outside.

We were sad to see them go but also proud of our little friends.

It was truly a fabulous learning experience for the Lil Divas

to be able to observe the life cycle of a butterfly firsthand.

Books We Read:

Have you raised caterpillars?
What was your experience like?

Bern