Information on Caterpillars for Schools and Daycare Centers
Caterpillars: Experience the Butterfly's Metamorphosis
Type of caterpillars
We raise only the Painted Lady butterfly, also known as the Belle-Dame butterfly (Vanessa cardui in Latin). It is a medium-sized butterfly (3.5–4.5 cm wingspan) with a variety of colors, primarily orange and black, though traces of brown, white, pink, and even blue can be seen. It is one of the most widespread butterflies in the world, found on every continent except Antarctica and South America.
Pot for caterpillars
The containers we provide contain two caterpillars as well as all the food they will need throughout their development. The food is a gel-like mixture made primarily from soybeans. No action is required until the caterpillars have formed their chrysalises. They will eat and grow rapidly day by day.
Stages in the Life Cycle of a Butterfly
The story begins inside the egg, which takes 4 to 5 days to hatch. The caterpillar that emerges is hungry and will do nothing but eat for the next 10 to 14 days. Once it reaches its maximum size, the larvae hangs upside down from the paper and molts one last time to form a chrysalis. Inside, the caterpillar will transform into a butterfly, a process that takes 8 to 10 days. Finally, the butterfly emerges in all its splendor and spreads its wings. You should wait at least two days before letting it fly away. All in all, you should allow between three and four weeks for the entire experience.
Q&A
How to feed butterflies: You can give them a slice of orange each day or a jar of sugar water.
How long can you keep butterflies before releasing them: You must wait at least 2 days so that their wings can dry thoroughly and harden. Butterflies can survive for about 3 weeks in captivity, but they will be unable to fly. It is therefore recommended to release them between the 3rd and 10th day.
Can you handle the caterpillars? It is not recommended to pick up the caterpillars with your hands to avoid transferring germs to them.
What to do when you receive your caterpillars: Keep the pots tightly closed with the brown paper. Opening the pots will cause the food inside to dry out.
Can you start a second life cycle with the eggs you have in the mesh cage? You can order pots with food from Alibibittes.
Can we reuse the mesh cage? No problem, since Alibibittes’ mesh cages are very high quality. Be sure to wash them thoroughly with mild dish soap and, most importantly, rinse them several times. Let them dry and store them for next year.