butterfly
If you find a caterpillar you may be able to keep it in a jar
until it changes to a butterfly or moth. It is best to try this
in the spring or early summer. A caterpillar found in the fall
will probably not change to an adult insect until the
following spring.
A caterpillar found eating a leaf is best. That way you know
what kind of leaf the caterpillar will eat. Many caterpillars
are very picky about what type of leaf they will eat. Place the
caterpillar along with a good supply of its favorite leaf and
a few twigs into a jar. Also include a wad of wet paper towel
to keep the air moist. Cover the jar with a thin cloth held
with a rubber band. Change the leaves whenever they no longer
appear fresh. The caterpillar must always have leaves to eat.
If the caterpillar does not eat and you are unsure what kind
of leaves it will eat, keep trying different kinds until the
right type is found. Misting the leaves with water a couple
of times a day may cut down on how often you need to change
the leaves. If you find many caterpillars only place a few in
the jar. Too many are difficult to care for.
After a few days or a few weeks the caterpillar will stop
eating and attach itself to a twig and change into a pupae.
Most moth pupae enclose themselves within a cocoon made of
thread similar to silk. Butterfly pupae will likely form a
hard case called a chrysalis. Some species of butterflies and
moths require a layer of moist soil in which the caterpillar
goes to change into a pupae.
Depending on the species, temperature and time of year it will
take from about a week up to several months for the pupae to
open and become a butterfly or moth. Keep a wet paper towel in
the jar during the pupae stage. If the caterpillar changes to
a pupae in the fall keep the jar in a cool place until spring.
If the jar is kept in a place where you often see it, you may
be lucky enough to see the adult insect emerge from the cocoon
or chrysalis. Many moths and butterflies do not eat at all.
Those that do usually sip nectar from flowers. If your butterfly
has a long, thin coiled tongue, try providing a flower diped
in sugar water. Keep a few twigs in the jar as perches.
Keep the jar cool. A wet paper towel should be placed in the
jar to keep the air moist. Most butterflies will not mate and
lay eggs when kept in a jar but moths may.
Another way to observe the larva, pupae and adult of a particular
species is to place a bag around the caterpillar and the
plant upon which you find it feeding. Return in a day or so to
move the specimen to another of the same plant if it has used
up its food source. When the cocoon or chrysalis appears, it
can be transported to a more convenient location. If it is
attached to a twig, cut or break the twig instead of removing
the pupae from the twig. That way there is less chance of
injuring the pupae.