How To Take care of a caterpillar until it turns into a butterfly.
Taking care of a caterpillar can be rewarding for both adults and children.Watching Caterpillars as they make their transition into butterflies can be beautiful.As long as you provide your caterpillar with food and a safe enclosure, they will be happy and healthy as they transition into butterflies.
Step 1: Which caterpillar are native to your region?
There are over 725 different species of butterflies in North America.It's a good idea to do some research about which caterpillar are native to the area you live in.A list of native caterpillar or butterfly species can be found on your state's official website.It is possible to locate books and periodicals that can help you identify native caterpillar in your area by asking the library's librarians.You can find a list of state wildlife websites at thefws.gov.
Step 2: Determine which type of caterpillar you are looking for.
If you know the types of caterpillar in your region, you can narrow down your search for a pet.You can choose one based on its caterpillar state or the type of butterfly you want to see emerge from the cocoon.There are some caterpillar that can be dangerous to touch.When choosing a type of caterpillar, you may want to take that into account.If you have access to a food source, you may want to choose a species of caterpillar.Caterpillars like leaves from their host plant.
Step 3: You can research the plants in your yard.
It is important to know what type of caterpillar you are looking for in order to find the right one.A host plant is a plant that a butterfly likes.There are Swallowtail caterpillars in Spicebush.The best place to find a Zebra Swallowtail caterpillar is in a plant.Black Swallowtail caterpillar are found in parsley.Both walnuts and sweet gum plants have Luna moths in them.There are cherry trees that can be found with Cecropia Moth, Viceroy or Red-spotted Purple moth caterpillar.
Step 4: Start your search in the spring.
Most of the caterpillar can be found in the Spring and Summer months.You won't be able to find caterpillar in the fall.During the colder months, some caterpillar enter a state similar to hibernation.Other caterpillars lay their eggs in the winter.
Step 5: Look for caterpillar damage.
It may take a while to spot a caterpillar.Caterpillars blend in with their environment as a defense mechanism.One way to find out if a plant has caterpillar in it is to look for signs that a caterpillar has been feeding on the plant.It is important to look for the type of damage caused by the caterpillar you are looking for.There are photographic examples of different caterpillar eating damage.
Step 6: Let the caterpillar come to you.
Pulling on the leaves and branches of a caterpillar could hurt it or even remove its legs.Place your hand, leaf or twig in the path of the caterpillar to allow it to crawl onto it.As the bristles you see may be a defense mechanism that can cause skin irritation, be careful not to touch the fuzzy or spiny looking caterpillar.After handling caterpillar, wash your hands.
Step 7: You can choose a container for your caterpillar.
Caterpillars don't need an enclosure to be safe and healthy.A jar, fish tank or reptile enclosure will work.Air can flow in and out of a container if it has a cover.To make it easy to clean, line the bottom of the container with paper towels.It is possible to use cheesecloth as a lid for enclosures that do not have a top.Air can travel in and out of the enclosure with the help of cheesecloth.If you are going to poke holes in a lid or enclosure, make sure the holes are small and the caterpillar won't be able to escape through them.
Step 8: You can add sticks or twigs to your habitat.
Caterpillars need sticks and twigs to hang off as they enter their pupae stage.Adding sticks and twigs will make your caterpillar more comfortable.To give your caterpillar a place to climb, place the sticks upright against the wall or top of the enclosure.On the bottom of the enclosure, put some sticks on their sides.
Step 9: The enclosure should be safe for your caterpillar.
Make sure the enclosure is safe for your new caterpillar friend by giving it a once over.If an enclosure isn't put together, Caterpillars can get injured or trapped.Caterpillars have sharp edges in their enclosure.Make sure the areas around the holes you punch are not damaged by the caterpillar.Look at how your sticks are positioned to make sure the caterpillar can't get trapped under or between them.
Step 10: If you have more than one caterpillar, make sure there is enough room.
If you have more than one caterpillar in your enclosure, you need to give them enough space to thrive.There needs to be at least three times the body size of the caterpillar in the enclosure.If you plan to use the same enclosure for the caterpillar until they hatch into butterflies, you need to make sure there is enough room for them to grow their wings.
Step 11: Food can be placed in your enclosure.
The leaves of the plants are often eaten by Caterpillars.To serve as a food source for your caterpillar, place some of the leaves from the plant you prefer in the enclosure.If the caterpillar doesn't start eating as soon as you put the leaves in the enclosure, you should not worry.If there are more than one preferred host plant, add leaves from each to give the caterpillar a few choices.Add a few different kinds of leaves and see which one the caterpillar eats.From now on, use those leaves for food.
Step 12: Provide your caterpillar with water.
Water is added to the enclosure on a daily basis.Don't put a water dish in your enclosure because the caterpillars may fall into them and drown.If you spray some water on the leaves, the caterpillar will drink from the droplets.You can rinse the leaves before you put them in the enclosure to make sure you have enough water.Try spraying more water into the enclosure if your caterpillar is very dry.
Step 13: The enclosure needs to be cleaned every day.
Uneaten leaves need to be removed on a regular basis.Depending on the plant, leaves can last up to a week or only a few days.The paper towels you place at the bottom of the enclosure may need to be replaced.Replacing the bedding will remove caterpillar droppings and waste that could cause them to get sick.If you put new leaves in the enclosure, remove the old leaves.
Step 14: Relocate the caterpillar pupae.
If you don't have enough room for your caterpillar to emerge from their cocoon and spread their wings, you will need to relocate them to a larger enclosure.Make sure the new enclosure has enough space for the butterflies to spread their wings.Remove the cocoons with care.If you are careful, you can handle them with your hands.
Step 15: The cocoon should be in its own container.
If you are moving your butterfly cocoons, you may want to move the twig it is hanging from into a bigger space.If that isn't an option, there are other ways to hang the cocoons.The glue from the hot glue gun is tacky and can be used to attach the twig.It is possible to puncture the end of the cocoon with a needle and thread to hang it in your enclosure, but this can be dangerous if you hurt the caterpillar inside.
Step 16: You should base your timelines on the season.
During the winter months, some butterflies may not emerge from their cocoon at all, but most will hatch within ten to fourteen days.During the Spring and Summer months, butterflies emerge at a rapid rate.Some caterpillar breeds may stay inside the cocoon for extended periods of time in the fall.
Step 17: There is a cocoon that can change color.
When the butterfly changes colors, it will emerge from its shell.Depending on the species of butterfly inside, some turn dark in color while others become clear.Within the next day or two, the butterfly will emerge if the color of the cocoon changes.It is likely that the caterpillar inside died if the color of the cocoon becomes very dark.
Step 18: Provide sustenance to your butterfly.
Butterflies and moths don't have their digestive tracts when they reach the butterfly stage.The lifespan of the butterflies and moths is a few days.Some people can eat.Make sure to give your butterfly some leaves from the host plant.If you want your butterfly to pursue a mate, you may want to release it at this point.Simply open the container and let the butterfly fly away.