Raising caterpillars to butterflies is part of our kindergarten curriculum. (Cooper did this too.) And again, it was too cold to order our caterpillars the week we studied "B is for butterfly" but we ordered them once the weather warmed a little. One of those times! Miles was super excited when this box arrived...
There was no hesitation in following the directions to "Open right away". :)
There were five tiny caterpillars in a cup!
All the food needed is in there with them so you never have to open the cup, in fact you're not supposed to. :::whew:::
They eat and grow, grow like crazy. Every day they were significantly bigger than the day before.
Then about 10 days later, we had five chrysalides!
They need to harden for a couple days, then they need moved over to the butterfly garden.
This kit came with a box you can just set the lid in and watch for butterflies to emerge.
And watch we did! But we didn't see any of them during the process. We woke up one morning and there was a butterfly!
Then the next morning, there were five!
(They're Painted Lady Butterflies)
The instructions are to release the butterflies in three days.
So on day three of enjoying the lovely ladies, Miles headed outside to say goodbye.
He opened it up and encouraged them to be free.
The boys couldn't help but try to 'pet' one.
And after they worked with them just a bit...
One came out and landed on Miles before it took flight!
Then another...
And another!
Then they were gone.
Goodbye, butterflies!
Affectionately named by Miles: Painted Lady, Golden Girl, Whip Flame, Spikester & Gold Spike.
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