When butterflies emerge from the chrysalis, they are considered adult butterflies.  Care and feeding of adult butterflies is important to successfully complete a butterfly life cycle experiment.  Adult butterflies do not have jaws that allow them to chew plant material as they did when they were caterpillars.  Instead, they have a long, straw-like tongue called a proboscis through which they can consume liquid material. Butterflies are an example of an insect that goes through complete metamorphosis.

The caterpillars diet normally consists of one type of plant, depending on the species. The most popular butterfly used in classroom studies is the Painted Lady, Vanessa cardui. They are available through many different sources and they are a cost effective option. In nature, the larva feed on the mallow plant. In classroom studies, a prepared diet is the best option. The caterpillars each constantly during this time period. The larval stage lasts approximately 4 weeks. The habitat should not be too large as this will make it difficult for the caterpillars to find the food source. If this happens, the larva could starve. One unusual characteristic of the caterpillar is that it has 8 pairs of legs to assist in climbing. After the last molt, only the front 3 pairs will remain.

After the 3-4 weeks spent as a caterpillar, the larva will attach itself upside down and form the crysalis. When the chrysalis has hardened, they should be transferred to a larger container, normally a net type habitat. The filter paper that the larva attaches to can be attached to the top of the net using a paper clip. In 7-10 days, the adult butterfly will emerge.  A few hours will pass before the adult is ready to fly.

When your butterflies emerge from their chrysalis, you should place a shallow container of sugar water into the bottom of their habitat or butterfly net.  They will consume this during the week to 10 days you have them in the habitat prior to release.

Though butterflies can adapt to a fairly wide range of temperatures, it is best to keep their habitat at room temperature and away from direct sunlight through windows.  The time periods listed above can vary depending on the temperature, amount of food and the concentration of larva.

The butterflies cycle of life is very different from the rest of nature. The butterfly’s lifecycle has four stages; which include Egg, Larva (caterpillar), Pupa (cocoon), and Adult.  Butterflies are important to nature because they are an agent of pollination.  This means they pollinate flowers, which happens when pollen grains are transferred from the male to the female part of the flower.

Egg

Butterfly eggs consist of a hard outer shell; the outer shell has wax on the inside to prevent it from getting too dry. These eggs are usually affixed to a plant leaf with glue that quickly hardens. The egg stage lasts for a few weeks.

Caterpillar

During the larva stage the caterpillar consumes plant leaves, finding and consuming the plant leaves is how the caterpillar spends most of its time. Many caterpillars have markings on their rear end that look like eyes. This along with ability to produce chemicals that smell or are toxic offers defense from birds and other predators.

Pupa

This is the stage in which the caterpillar searches for a desirable location in which to turn itself from larva into a pupa. The caterpillar will attach itself to a branch or limb and moult for the last time. Metamorphosis takes place and a butterfly emerges at the end of this cycle.

Adult Butterfly

Adult Butterflies are not able to fly until their wings gain blood circulation and completely unfold; this usually takes 1-3 hours depending on the type of butterfly. Without a net or other type of protection they are very vulnerable while waiting for their wings to function.  The adult is known as the imago, as an adult the butterfly gains the ability to reproduce. The adult butterfly has 4 wings and 6 legs.

Learning Activity for Children

Butterflies are fascinating for children because of their beauty and the simple fact that they fly.  Rarely can a book teach a child the stages of a butterfly’s life cycle better than simply experiencing it.  Raising butterflies through their life cycle is a fun educational activity for children.  To successfully raise butterflies through their life cycle, you will need:

• Painted Lady Caterpillars with food.
• Vials and lids
• And a two foot hanging butterfly net

Heath Scientific provides these supplies along with complete instructions in a Live Butterfly Classroom Kit .  Though designed for the classroom, it is a great activity for parents and children of all ages.