IT'S CATERPILLAR TIME! LEARN ABOUT PAINTED LADY BUTTERFLIES

Infographic from Carolina Biological Supply

Spring and summer are the perfect time to raise painted lady butterflies. This infographic from Carolina Biological Supply shows where they live and the four stages of life.

Cups of caterpillars from InsectLore. Everything the caterpillars need to grow is provided.

I just received my cups of caterpillars from InsectLore. The caterpillars (larva) will eat the special food at the bottom of the cups and in about two weeks form chrysalises. A week or so later they will emerge as beautiful butterflies.

Find out how a kindergarten class raised butterflies in their classroom and let them go in the school garden in my book BUTTERFLIES IN ROOM 6. 

Raising Painted Lady Butterflies from Caterpillars

It is not hard to raise painted lady butterflies at home or in the classroom. You do not need to start with eggs. Most people raise butterflies from caterpillars. There are a number of sources on the internet where you can order painted lady caterpillars. (I ordered mine from InsectLore and also bought a netted habitat for keeping the butterflies after they emerged from their chrysalises.) The tiny caterpillars come in a plastic cup, a supply of food, and directions for care. It usually takes about three weeks for the caterpillars to grow, form a chrysalis, and transform into butterflies.
If you find a painted lady caterpillar on a wild thistle plant or on a hollyhock leaf, you may be able to watch it grow by feeding it fresh leaves every day. The butterfly will emerge about 8-10 days after it forms the chrysalis. Within a few days after the butterfly emerges, you should release it so it can live in the wild.