These caterpillars will shed their exoskeletons four times while they are eating and growing. They shed once more just before they pupate.
Caterpillars use the webbing to stick to their host plants. They also use the silk to pull leaves around themselves to hide from predators that might like to eat them!
Because of their egg mass, females have a larger, more rounded abdomen than males which have straight sides.
Insect Lore’s Cup of Caterpillars includes 3-5 caterpillars and all of the nutritious food they need to develop into beautiful Painted Lady butterflies.
Observe the miraculous butterfly life cycle up close in your own home or classroom.
Re-use your Insect Lore butterfly habitat, or if you have not completed the project before you can purchase a full kit that comes with everything you require to raise beautiful Painted Lady butterflies.
Available March to mid-September.
The Cup of Caterpillars is meant as a refill for any of the many Insect Lore Butterfly Habitats which are sold separately.
|
|
|
|
---|---|---|---|
Baby Caterpillars3-5 caterpillars will arrive in a clear plastic cup with all the nutritious food they need. Don’t worry if your caterpillars appear inactive on arrival. Place the cup in a safe place away from direct sunlight, and within 48hrs they should start to move around again. |
Adult CaterpillarsThe caterpillars will remain in the cup and will eat, spin silk and grow up to TEN times their original size! |
ChrysalisAfter 7-14 days (depending on the time of year), the caterpillars will hang upside down from the lid, form a J shape and harden into chrysalides (also known as pupae). |
ButterfliesOnce the chrysalides have hardened for three days, gently move them to your existing pop-up butterfly habitat (you will need to purchase a full kit if you do not already have a habitat). It will take about 7-14 more days (depending on the time of year) for them to complete the transformation to adult butterflies. Feed and observe your butterflies for up to three days before releasing into nature. |
|
|
|
---|---|---|
Watch them Transform in Front of Your EyesWhether in the classroom or at home, Insect Lore activities give learners of all ages a glimpse into the fascinating world of insects and can ignite a love of exploration and discovery in children. These informative, immersive projects are perfect for family time. Get the kids away from screens and encouraging them to get back into nature with the magic and wonder of insect metamorphosis. |
An Enlightening Activity for the Whole FamilyThis Insect Lore set is a STEM.org authenticated educational product. STEM.org’s mission is to make quality STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education accessible to all. These products are designed to engage students from nursery to secondary school in a fun and exciting way that may start them on the road to pursuing a career in a STEM-related field. *STEM ID #12520700. February 8th, 2019. |
Insect Lore: Over 50 Years of Educational FunSince 1969, Insect Lore has specialised in a variety of innovative, educational products for young learners. Starting with the signature Live Butterfly Garden and expanding to other insects, Insect Lore’s unique educational products have brought science to life in countless classrooms and homes around the world, offering children and adults a friendly, hands-on introduction to insect metamorphosis, entomology, and life-cycle learning. |