Raising Butterflies

[cmzaha]

I just had to post these. My 6 yr old granddaughter raises Painted lady and Monarch Butterflies. She has a large habitat outside. These are eggs from the Painted Ladies. The dark ones are getting ready to hatch. In fact my daughter watched one hatch a few minutes ago. The next two pictures are Monarch Caterpillers that are getting ready to spin. We actually watched on spinng today

You can actually see the silk!

These guys are voracious eaters :grin:

 

[snappyllama]

They are adorable. You'll have to post pics once they hatch.

 

[cmzaha]

Have to look a bit to find them but there are 5 min old caterpillers on the leaf

 

[snappyllama]

Oh my gosh, they are so tiny. <Must resist urge to squeeze>

Monarchs are simply amazing.

 

[Meganmischke]

Thats so awesome we got to raise some black swallowtails this year.

 

[IrishLass]

Cool! Thanks for sharing! I hope you'll be able to post pics of the continuing progress all the way to the butterflies emerging.


IrishLass

 

[cmzaha]

Cool! Thanks for sharing! I hope you'll be able to post pics of the continuing progress all the way to the butterflies emerging.


IrishLass

We are trying to keep the pics going so Autumn can take the pictures to school. Her teacher was quite excited when we told her about them. Should get some pics of the Monarchs emerging. They are raised in my soft sided Chameleon cages then released into the habitat outside. Hardest part of the Monarchs is the amount of milkweed they eat. Vorcious guys...

 

[cmzaha]

Thats so awesome we got to raise some black swallowtails this year.

Swallowtails are gorgeous. Not sure if we can raise them here, will have to look into it. Did you let them cycle through until they laid eggs?

 

[Ruthie]

I've raised the Black Swallowtails from cat. to emerging from their chrysalis. Done it in my classroom a few times as well as at home and it is so interesting! It would be nice to have a set-up to complete the cycle.

 

[cmzaha]

Her parents set up a mesh tent approx 8x9 have it planted, made fairy houses planted it and put seats inside so she can go inside and enjoy her butterflies without disturbing them. It is protected from the weather with the ability to add lights and heating if necesary. We are going to ask her teacher if she would like a small setup in the classroom. Not sure for kinder if she would want it.We would love some swallowtails but I do not think they are available here.

 

[Meganmischke]

Swallowtails are gorgeous. Not sure if we can raise them here, will have to look into it. Did you let them cycle through until they laid eggs?

Not this time. They alway lay eggs and feed on some queen annes lace near my garden. We might do that next year. I am in New Hampshire I think the black swallowtails live in most of North America. Where are you located?

 

[cmzaha]

I am in Southern California. Going to see if we can raise them here and if allowed. We can grow the host plants. The Swallowtails are as gorgeous as the Monarchs

 

[Meganmischke]

They are and so interesting to compare the two species. Up here the swallowtails overwinter in their chrysalis and are the first butterflies in the spring. Where as the monarchs travel to mexico. They are both so imazing and beautiful. I was thinking about making an outdoor area next year so we can observe their whole life cycle without being too obtrusive to their natural ways.

 

[cmzaha]

She is on the fourth generation or cycle of Monarchs that will live 6-8 months. I can say it is not inexpensive to raise butterflies. LOL, I think my Chameleons were cheaper. :idea: Maybe I should raise chams again, they love butterflies...ooops think Autumn will not like that :razz: Naughty Grammie. I raised silk worms and moths for my chams

 

[summerflyy]

Wow ! This is so beautiful ! It reminds me of the time when I reared a tiger butterfly from catepillar to butterfly and it was just so amazing. I wish I could do it again !

 

[Ruthie]

I plant lots of parsley and dill in my garden, which attracts the black swallowtails in the spring and summer. Was late getting them out this year though, so I didn't have any.