Kayla's Butterfly Journal 2002
Since my caterpillars at school died, mommy ordered some so I can raise them at home. Here is what happened...
First mommy ordered caterpillars for the painted lady butterfly and butterfly pavilion from Insect Lore
http://www.insectlore.com/butpavwitliv1.html
Of course there are other places to order from. And, if you look in your garden you might just find your own caterpillars for free. We did that last year.
June 3 - My caterpillars arrived. There are 10 of them and they came in two cups with their own food. I don't have to do anything except watch them and keep them out of the sun.
June 7 - The caterpillars started climbing to the top and forming J's.
June 8 - 4 caterpillars turned into a chrysalis
June 9 - There are 9 chrysalis now.
June 10 - There are 10 chrysalis. Mommy put some twigs in the pavilion for when the butterflies come out so they can climb on them. We took the chrysalis and hung them in the butterfly pavilion. One fell so we laid it carefully on a napkin. I hope it makes it.
June 15 - 3 butterflies emerged. We put some fresh flowers in the pavilion and then dropped some nectar (sugar water) on them.
June 16 - This morning, right after breakfast we noticed another butterfly came out. We thought it was one of the hanging ones, but it was the one that was on the floor :) By the end of today we have 9 butterflies. Daddy took a video of one of them emerging. Only one more to go and its been shaking like crazy! One butterfly is on the top and its going in circles trying to get out. HELP!
June 17 - the last butterfly emerged. I can't believe we have all ten!!
June 20 - We set our butterflies free.
Good bye. I'll miss you!