Momto5 Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 So, our Painted Lady caterpillars arrived today from Insect Lore. Other than following the instructions, any thing I should know about keeping them alive? My track record for caring for insects is not ideal.:bigear: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G5052 Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 Just follow the instructions explicitly and you'll be fine. Keep the habitat away from drafts or excessive heat though. DH always wants to put it on my kitchen island near my cooktop, which is NOT a good place. You don't have to feed or provide water until they become butterflies. At that point I give them a few orange slices, and then we let them go when they're 2-3 days past becoming butterflies. We let ours go Saturday. Have fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovedtodeath Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 You might have one caterpillar die for no reason, though I suspect moving them too much while he was getting into the upside down position might be the reason. We kept our healthy butterflies for a week. One was injured so we cared for it until it died and we buried it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momto5 Posted May 13, 2008 Author Share Posted May 13, 2008 Thanks ladies!! Any caterpillar - butterfly activities you did that your dc really liked? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nukeswife Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 Ours just hatched yesterday. We didn't do anything other than keeping them out of direct heat and drafts. I was amazed at how fast the grew. We will most likely let them go in a couple days. It was way to cold today to let them go. I've been feeding them sugar water that I just drip in the bottom of the habitat. It was very easy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Herbster Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 We let each of ours go free (amidst wild cheers from five very excited children) a couple of days ago. I was surprised that nine out of ten made it. (One died in "larvancy," may he rest in peace.) We kept them as butterflies inside the habitat for a couple of days, and then we started feeling sorry for them. We haven't seen any of them since we let them go, but my kids are still hoping... In answer to your question--no, there's nothing you have to do except follow the instructions. I was truly amazed that it went so well; I usually fail miserably at projects involving living specimens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.