Look out the window and watch the butterflies fly past you. Incredibly, this beautiful creature came from a 2.5 cm long caterpillar that probably lived off the roses you planted. This view can be enjoyed in another way, namely by keeping the butterflies themselves.
Step
Method 1 of 5: Catching Caterpillars
Step 1. Prepare a well-ventilated container
Containers for caterpillars can be purchased at pet shops, craft stores, or the internet. Or, you can also make your own from things you have at home. The container should be made of wiremesh so that the caterpillars can hang in it. Aquariums and 4 liter jars can also be used if they are covered with gauze or cotton and the top is secured with a rubber band.
- However, do not use lids with holes in jars as these will not provide adequate ventilation. The sharp edge of the hole can also injure the caterpillar.
- If you think the caterpillars you are raising might metamorphose into cocoons underground, place 5 cm of soil and grass at the bottom of each container. Otherwise, tissue or newsprint will work as well.
Step 2. Look for caterpillars on your plants
Instead of eradicating them, identify them (see Warnings) and capture the caterpillars to turn them into butterflies. In the United States, butterfly season lasts from late spring until summer. If you don't know where the caterpillars frequent, determine which "host" the butterflies prefer by using information in related books such as the "Peterson First Guide to Caterpillars" or from the internet. Make sure not to catch any endangered species as doing so can be considered illegal. Different types of butterflies like different plants. Some of the common host plants that butterflies like are:
- Milkweed - Butterfly Monarch (Monarch)
- Spice bush - Spice bush Swallowtail Butterfly
- Paw-Paw - Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly
- Thistle - Painted Lady Butterfly
- Parsley, sowa dill and dill - Black Swallowtail Butterfly
- Kers fruit - Cecropia Moth, Viceroy, Red-Spotted Purple
- If you don't have time to look for caterpillars, or it's not caterpillar season, try buying caterpillars from a caterpillar supplier. This will be discussed in the last section.
Method 2 of 5: Making a Caterpillar House
Step 1. Seduce the caterpillar with a stick
Use twigs (especially twigs of the same host plant) or something similar. Handle the caterpillar with care because the caterpillar can die if it falls, even from a close distance.
- Do not pick up the caterpillar with your hands because: this will make it difficult for the caterpillar to adjust to its new home (the caterpillar clings to the surface firmly on the ground and can hurt if you scratch it); bacteria on your hands can expose caterpillars to infection; and some types of caterpillars are poisonous (see Warning).
- Store the stick with the caterpillar in a container. The wand is important because it will provide the cocoon with a resting place.
Step 2. Go back to the tree or bush where you found the caterpillar
Cut off small branches of the tree that contain few leaves because the tree or shrub is likely to be the caterpillar's host plant. Before trying to feed it, be sure to find out what the caterpillar likes. Some types of caterpillars, such as the type of King (monarch), will only eat one type of food (milkweed). Other caterpillars eat a variety of plants, but will starve to death if not fed immediately.
However, if you are not sure, look for information in related books or sources. Then, look for the leaves of the host plant; caterpillars also love choice
Step 3. Place the leaves in the container
Before storing it in a container, first check for insects or spiders on the leaves as these insects can injure and kill caterpillars. Make sure to change the leaves daily as the caterpillars will not eat old or dry leaves. To keep them fresh, store the leaves in a floral tube (available at florists for a low price) with water. However, do not use plates, jars, or vases to store the food, as the caterpillars can fall into the container and drown.
If the caterpillar is in the food you're changing, don't try to pull it off because the caterpillar will cling to it firmly and tear its leg. Keep the new branches, let the caterpillars move by themselves, and discard the old ones
Step 4. Keep the container outdoors
Store the container in a hidden area, protected from scorching heat or cold temperatures, and out of reach of pets or humans that could interfere with the caterpillar's reproduction. If you live in a dry environment, it's a good idea to spray the cage with a little water every now and then, as caterpillars like moist habitats. However, don't spray too much water as this will encourage mold growth.
If you want to make the habitat more humid, place clear plastic or cellophane around the caterpillar's house. Plastic or cellophane will insulate the heat and increase the humidity. This is especially good for admiral and viceroy caterpillars
Method 3 of 5: Caring for Caterpillars
Step 1. Check your caterpillar every day
Remove any caterpillar droppings (called frass) and any mold growth. Do not touch the caterpillar, especially when it is lethargic or changing color as the caterpillar may be metamorphosing. Give the caterpillars fresh food and watch for changes. The caterpillar will soon metamorphose into a cocoon (butterfly) or cocoon (moth).
- Don't touch the cocoons. At this point, the caterpillar will not need food or water. Every now and then, spray a little water around the caterpillar to keep the environment moist.
- Caterpillars excrete a lot of dirt. To accommodate the dirt and make it easier to dispose of, you can put newspaper on the caterpillar's cage. Caterpillar droppings should be cleaned frequently. Otherwise, the caterpillar can get sick and die.
Step 2. Watch the caterpillar's behavior
If it starts to change color or looks lethargic, the caterpillar will likely shed its skin or form a cocoon. In this period, caterpillars are very fragile. So that the environment is not disturbed, do not touch the caterpillars. In this period, the caterpillar will also begin to bend.
Another possibility is that the caterpillar may be sick. If any of them die, throw them away immediately so that other healthy caterpillars don't get infected
Step 3. Make sure that the cocoon hangs in an open area
Make sure that the cocoon hangs in an area of the container that will allow the butterfly (after metamorphosis) to fully open its wings without touching the ground or the container. In order to fly when finished metamorphosis, butterfly wings need enough space to grow and dry. Otherwise, the butterfly may fall to the ground and die.
- If possible, to aid the caterpillar's metamorphosis, remove the twig or object on which the cocoon is hanging. However, move it slowly and carefully so that the cocoons don't fall and hurt the future butterflies.
- If the cocoons fall, stick the ends to a sheet of paper with hot glue that has cooled slightly and wait for the glue to harden. Then, hang the paper on cardboard or cork and place it in the container.
Step 4. Be patient
The time of the metamorphosis of a butterfly or moth depends on the species. If you are very active and can recognize the colors and other signs of caterpillars well, try learning this information from a book about butterflies or from the internet. Some butterflies, such as the Monarch species, for example, will emerge from the cocoon in 9-14 days. There are also types of butterflies that will remain in the pupal stage during the winter and emerge as butterflies in the spring.
- The only thing to do during this period is to spray a little water on the caterpillar's cage as usual. The cocoons do not need food or water, but they do need a suitable environment.
- You will see the cocoons change color. The time of metamorphosis is almost complete when the color of the cocoon turns clear. This can happen in an instant. So, if you want to see it, keep an eye on the cocoon. The butterfly will then hang on for several hours to get its wings spread and fully formed.
- If the color of the cocoon turns dark, the butterfly inside is probably dead. Try to bend it. If it stays curved, the caterpillar is probably dead.
Method 4 of 5: Caring For Butterflies
Step 1. Get ready to feed the butterfly that just emerged from the cocoon
The butterfly will not eat anything for several hours. Butterflies have to pump fluid into their wings and let them dry. After letting them fly freely, the butterflies will feed on your garden if you provide them with nectar flowers. Sometimes, the butterfly will also eat from the hummingbird's feeder. Some butterflies also like to eat ripe fruit. Make sure that your garden is ready for this.
Don't be disappointed if your caterpillar grows into a moth instead of a butterfly. Like butterflies, moths also have unique wings. While they won't be as colorful as butterfly wings, moth wings are also intricate and pretty. The various monotonous color patterns will be beautiful to see in the wild
Step 2. Watch the butterfly for a few hours
When the wings are dry, you can touch and place the butterfly in your hand. You can also take a walk outside and take a picture of it on the flowers. Butterflies have a short life span. Some butterflies even only live for one day. So, be careful when freeing it.
Butterflies must be completely free to live. Butterflies can only be kept if you have a garden large enough to house them. What's more, many species also migrate. The butterfly will only be able to stay with you if it is allowed to live
Step 3. Free the butterflies you keep
Butterflies can only live for a few days, stay for a few days and then migrate, or stay for weeks. However, regardless, be grateful that you have raised the butterfly successfully and look out for the next generation.
Actias Luna moths, Cecropia moths, or Polyphemus moths do not need to be fed because these types of moths do not have a digestive system
Method 5 of 5: Alternative Ways to Find Caterpillars
Step 1. Try to catch an adult female caterpillar
Most female caterpillars caught from the wild have probably already mate and can lay eggs. If you catch an adult female caterpillar, you can persuade her to lay eggs.
- For butterflies, keep them in cages and place water bottles and plants they like next to a light source (preferably sunlight). This will encourage the butterfly to lay eggs. You can also keep the butterfly in a cool, dark place for a few days to get it used to its new environment.
- Compared to butterflies, moths are much easier to care for. If you catch an adult female moth, you can store it in a large paper bag, fold the bag, and leave it for a few days. Moths are likely to lay eggs in the pouch. After that, tear the paper bag, remove the moth eggs without touching them, and place the eggs in a more suitable container.
Step 2. Visit the monarch butterfly farm
Since monarch butterflies are so popular, you can also order them through monarch butterfly farms, such as from Monarch Watch. The farm can safely deliver butterflies to your home.
However, you still have to look for the caterpillar's food, namely milkweed. If milkweed isn't in your area, for butterflies to be raised successfully, you'll need to order them or grow them yourself
Step 3. Buy caterpillars from suppliers
If you can't find caterpillars in your garden, or you can't find them because it's out of season (it varies by region), you can buy caterpillars from a "caterpillar supplier". Most companies have a wide variety of species to choose from and you can choose the butterfly that's most appropriate for you. Painted ladies are probably the easiest type of butterfly to keep as they only need to be kept to medium size to metamorphose.
However, this method is not as interesting as looking for it yourself and finding out what food the caterpillar likes. If possible, take the time to look for them in your garden. Try all the possibilities before buying it from the caterpillar farm
Tips
- Caterpillars do not need water because they have consumed it from fresh leaves.
- When collecting monarch caterpillars, look for milkweed trees. Cut and take the tree trunks that are the food. This is to ensure that the caterpillar is not injured.
- Try catching different types of caterpillars in your area and spot the beautiful butterflies that appear. In North America, caterpillars that look like bird droppings and have large antennae will grow into beautiful, dark blue butterflies.
- Look for caterpillars in a variety of places, not just in your garden. Try looking for caterpillars in the garden, or use this opportunity as a good excuse to take your family out for a visit to nature.
- Butterflies and moths are cold-blooded animals (animals that get body heat from the sun). Butterflies and moths also need flower nectar as a food source.
- Caterpillars may die, but don't be disappointed. Caterpillar rearing requires practice and experimentation with the right types of food and the right environment. Look for information about the species to be kept so that you know their needs. Also make sure to clean the dead caterpillars from their containers in case other caterpillars don't catch the disease if they die of infection.
- Every 1-3 days, remove the caterpillars and fresh leaves from the container. Remove caterpillar droppings and dry leaves. Then, clean the container and leave a few drops of water in it to serve as a water source for the caterpillars. Try changing the type of leaf used if the caterpillar is defecating more often than usual as this means that the caterpillar is not getting enough nutrition.
- Moths without digestive systems can be kept as long as you want because they don't have to migrate or eat. However, it would be best if you let it go so that the moth would have some freedom in its short life.
Warning
- Watch out for the "spitfire" caterpillar which spit out poison as a defense system when touched. The venom will cause serious injury if it gets into the eyes.
- If you are buying caterpillars, remember that in many areas, only licensed companies are legally allowed to keep them.
- Do not catch or disturb rare, threatened or protected caterpillars or butterflies.
- Be careful with caterpillars that are colorful and sharp horns because this type of caterpillar can be poisonous. After getting experience raising butterflies, you may want to try to care for this type of caterpillar with care because this type of caterpillar often grows into a large and beautiful butterfly.
- Instead of buying or catching them from other areas, try to catch caterpillars locally. The introduction of butterflies or any alien living creatures into your area can harm native species and the ecosystem as a whole because these "invasive species" can overwhelm native species. Many regions and countries also have strict regulations governing the introduction of alien species.
- Many British butterfly species only eat nettles. So, be careful that you don't get hurt while collecting them.
