If you want to buy a butterfly kit, consider getting a species that will be able to survive in your region after you release it. Do a little research to find out which butterfly populations in your area could use a boost. [1] X Research source www. MonarchWatch. org If you want to find your own caterpillars, go outside and look around. Look for the following host plants to find different caterpillar species:[2] X Research source Caterpillar/Butterfly Species Host Plant Monarch Milkweed Spicebush Swallowtail Spicebush Zebra Swallowtail Paw-paw Black Swallowtail Dill, fennel and parsley
Put no more than 2 to 3 caterpillars together in a jar. If they all become butterflies, they’ll need plenty of space when they emerge from their chrysalises. The caterpillar’s jar will need to be cleaned every day since caterpillars produce a lot of waste. If you just leave the waste in the jar, mold can grow, which is unhealthy for the caterpillars. Line the jar with paper towels that you can switch out for easy cleanup. Place long sticks in the jar so that the caterpillars have a place to climb. When you change out the paper towels, be very careful not to damage the caterpillars. Wait until they’re climbing on the sticks, then gently lift them out as you switch out the paper. It might be helpful to have a second jar lined with paper. so you can simply switch them back and forth.
Caterpillars won’t eat old or dried-out leaves, so it’s important to make sure that what you feed them is fresh. You might want to grow the host plant in a pot, so you always have some available. Caterpillars get the water they need from leaves, so there’s no need to add water to the jar. If you aren’t sure what type of caterpillar you have, consult a field guide to try to find out. If you can’t figure it out, you should release the caterpillar, since it will die if you try to feed it the wrong food. [3] X Research source
The pupae stage lasts for several months, and during this time you won’t see much activity, but rest assured that the pupa is alive and will eventually emerge. If you captured the caterpillar in the fall, it should emerge in time for spring.
If a chrysalis is on a stick that’s too close to the bottom of the jar; you can simply move the stick, so it’s positioned in a better way. You could also tape the bottom of the stick to another stick to make it longer if you need to. The chrysalis should be positioned near the top of the jar, hanging from the underside of the stick. If the chrysalis is resting on the bottom of the jar; you need to attach it to a stick. Use a dab of slightly cooled hot glue to glue one edge of the chrysalis to the underside of a stick, then position the stick in a good spot.
When it looks like the butterflies are going to emerge soon, make especially sure that the environment inside the jar is nice and humid. If a butterfly falls to the bottom of the jar, don’t fret! It should be able to climb the stick and find a good spot to hang.
Butterflies have the best chance of survival if you set them free, rather than trying to keep them indoors. If it’s cold outside or you simply want to observe them for a few days, you can keep them inside for a bit. Put them in a huge jar with several sticks, and feed them the sugar solution detailed in the next step.
Don’t put a dish or puddle of sugar water out, since butterflies can get covered with it and end up sticky, making it difficult or impossible for them to fly. Don’t add any coloring to the sugar water.
For a butterfly that seems weak or hungry, you can rescue it by helping it eat. Mix up some sugar water and set out a sponge soaked in it. Gently take the butterfly’s wings between your thumb and forefinger, using utmost care not to pinch too hard. Set the butterfly on the sponge. Butterflies feed through a curved tube. If it doesn’t unfurl, you can help it along by gently extending it toward the food using a toothpick. Once the butterfly feels restored, it will fly away. [5] X Research source For a butterfly with a torn wing, you can tape the wing to help it heal. Use a very lightweight, clear tape. Gently hold the butterfly’s body with one hand and use the other to place a small piece of tape on one side of the butterfly’s wing. This will keep the wing held together and help the butterfly fly again.
Milkweed Dill Fennel Parsley Bee balm Mint Lavender Lilac Privet Sage Zinnia
