Raising a Caterpillar

One of the best ways you can learn about the life cycle of butterflies and moths is to find a caterpillar and raise it to an adult butterfly or moth. How exciting to watch what will develop from your find! Monarch or Painted Lady butterflies can be purchased for a school project, or for even more fun, find a caterpillar in your garden, the woods, or a field.

Containers, food, and directions are usually supplied when you buy live caterpillars from a supply house. All you need to do is follow the directions carefully. If you look for your own caterpillar, you will have to be ready to improvise. When you find a caterpillar on a plant, you should take part of that plant too, as it might be the caterpillar's "host plant". When you find a caterpillar, place it in a jar, plastic bag, or other container with some of the plant leaves or flowers where you found it. Most caterpillars will eat only one kind of plant, so make sure to have extra pieces of the food plant stored in a plastic container in your refrigerator. If your caterpillar is still eating and growing you will have to keep it supplied with fresh food, and clean out its frass (droppings) at least every second day.

At the bottom of the container, place one or two folded paper towels, facial tissue, or newspaper. Change these whenever necessary. Do not let the container become too wet. You can tell if this happens if moisture condenses or collects on the inside.

After feeding is complete, the caterpillar will spin a silk button, shed its skin, and become a chrysalis (pupa) if it is to be a butterfly. Provide sticks or stems on which the butterfly chrysalis can attach.

If the caterpillar is that of a moth it will spin a silk cocoon and change into a pupa. Provide facial tissue for moth caterpillars to attach their cocoons to.

Some butterflies, such as Monarchs or Painted Ladies, and various types of moths will develop directly and come out of their chrysalis in 10-14 days. On the other hand, some butterflies, such as Swallowtails and some moths, notably woolly bears, must overwinter and emerge as adults the following spring.