Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some commonly asked questions about our Butterfly Kits and Caterpillar Cups that you may find helpful.
Butterfly Kit Questions
How long is the Painted Lady butterfly life cycle?
About 3-4 weeks from egg to adult butterfly! Adult butterflies live for around 2-4 weeks.
Can I handle my caterpillars?
Unfortunately, you should not handle your caterpillars. Handling them could expose your caterpillars to bacteria and cause them to get sick. You can safely observe them through the cup. Keep the lid closed until all the caterpillars have become chrysalises and 24 hours have passed.
What does the word “larvae” mean?
Larvae is another word for caterpillars. Larva refers to one caterpillar.
Why don't my caterpillars move?
Your caterpillars have all they need within close reach so they do not need to move much. Don’t worry, if your caterpillars grow bigger within 1-2 days, they are perfectly fine and healthy!
Should I give my caterpillars food and water?
Nope! They have all the food they will need to turn into beautiful butterflies inside the caterpillar cups. Extra food and water is not needed and should not be given.
A chrysalis fell to the bottom of the cup, what should I do?
Sometimes a chrysalis will get knocked off by some of its caterpillar roommates. If this happens remember to wait until all of your caterpillars have become chrysalises. Then wait another 24 hours for their exoskeletons to harden. Now you can carefully open the caterpillar cup lid and follow the instructions on how to transfer your chrysalises. For the chrysalis that has fallen to the bottom of the cup, you can gently pick it up with your fingers. Remove any silk that may be clinging to the chrysalis. Sometimes a moistened q-tip makes things easier. Then lay it gently on the bottom of the cage near one of the mesh walls. All set!
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Why are the chrysalises shaking?
Chrysalises will shake and wiggle their tails if they sense any danger outside. This scares away predators that may try and eat the chrysalis.
Why is there red liquid all over the cage after the butterflies came out? Is it blood?
Don't worry! This is not blood but simply a waste product from metamorphosis process called meconium. This is normal and different butterfly species have different colored meconium. Fascinating right?!​
How many times will my caterpillars molt or shed their skin?
Caterpillars go through 5 different stages of growth called instars. They will molt their skins 5 times as they grow!
Why are some of my caterpillar’s poop red?
Your caterpillars will be around 2 inches long when you start noticing red caterpillar poop . This means they are almost ready to turn into chrysalises! This is a normal part of their life cycle.
Why is there spider webbing inside the cup?
The webbing you see inside of the cup is actually caterpillar silk! Caterpillars produce silk from special glands under their mouths called spinnerets. This helps them move around the cup without slipping and also helps them attach to the top of the cup when it’s time to become a chrysalis. The little bundle of silk that the chrysalis attaches to is called a cremaster.
What is a chrysalis or pupa?
A chrysalis is what a caterpillar turns into after it has shed its skin one last time. Both butterflies and moths make chrysalises. Pupa is another word for chrysalis. Moths spin protective silk around their chrysalis called cocoons.
The chrysalis can still sense its surroundings and that is why it will shake and wiggle sometimes to scare predators away. Inside the chrysalis, the caterpillar goes through metamorphosis and becomes a butterfly.
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How do the butterflies eat?
If you look very closely at a butterfly's head, you’ll see a little coiled spring under their eyes. This is the butterfly’s tongue and it is used like a straw to feed on nectar inside of flowers.
What is the Painted Lady Butterfly’s scientific name?
Vanessa cardui
Why are there blue dots all over my butterfly habitat?
Great news! Your Painted Lady Butterflies have laid eggs! Every blue dot is an egg which will hatch in 3-5 days into a tiny tiny caterpillar. You can provide the baby caterpillars with leaves of borage, thistle, mallow, malva, sunflower, ribgrass plantain, stinging nettle or hollyhock. Becareful and always use protective clothing and eyeware if you are harvesting plants that can sting or irritate the skin such as thistle and stinging nettle. For younger folks, always have adult supervision when collecting leaves and be sure to get permission to do so! You can also purchase more butterfly food from Metamorphic Farms. Be sure to release your butterflies if you do not want anymore eggs!
How do I make more butterfly nectar? What else can I feed my butterflies?
To make more nectar solution, mix a 1 part sugar, maple syrup, or honey to 9 parts water until fully dissolved.
Is a butterfly an insect? Why do my butterflies only have four legs?
Great observation! Painted Lady Butterflies are part of a family called Brushfoots. This is because their first pair of legs are tucked into their bodies like little brushes. Look closely and you’ll see little white tufts. These legs are used by female butterflies to taste plants for egg laying. They will do a little "tap dance" on leaves as they taste to see if it is the correct plant for their baby caterpillars to eat.
Why are my butterfly’s wings shaking?
Your butterflies may sometimes appear to shake or “shiver.” They are simply warming themselves up by moving their wings back and forth very fast, which increases the temperature near their flight muscles.
Is it safe to release my butterflies in the environment?
Yes! Painted Lady Butterflies are native and can be found all over North America, Europe, and Australia! However, due to state laws, please do not release your butterflies if you live in CT, ND or WA. You can keep your butterflies safely indoors for their entire life cycle.
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How do I clean my butterfly habitat so I can use it again?
Simply soak in warm tap water for 5 minutes, rinse, and let air dry. Now you’re ready for another experience of metamorphosis! If you would like to remove all stains from your habitat (the red meconium from butterflies is sometimes difficult to wash out) you can soak the habitat in 1 part bleach to 19 parts water for 20 minutes. Rinse very well and let dry. Always use protective clothing and eye goggles when handling cleaning chemicals and under adult supervision if necessary.