Sci Fri: Raising Butterflies

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Our last project for 'The Island at the End of Everything' was the super science of butterfly biology!

Last year, we lucked out and were able to raise a local butterfly by finding a caterpillar eating milkweed prior to creating his chrysalis. We placed him in a large jar, fed him fresh milkweed daily (shaking off other insects) and removed his massive movements as he grew larger. We chanced upon his chrysalis one morning but did not witness the process. However we were lucky enough to watch the butterfly emerge one morning over breakfast.

This year, we hunted for caterpillars in the heat of the day with no luck. As evening fell, we chanced upon two and took them both home to create a sanctuary for metamorphosis. This time, we were fortunate enough to watch them both create their crysalis's within days of one another.

First-they attach firmly to a stick or leaf.

Second, they begin the scientific process of 'wiggling like mad' as they shed their caterpillar skin and the bright green chrysalis moves up to enclose their body.

Third, the chrysalis stops wiggling and a gold band of dots forms around the outermost ring. They will remain inside for 9-14 days depending on the temperature (warmer=faster). At this point, you can gently clean out the jar, leaving only the chrysalis on whatever it has attached to. Because ours attached to leaves, we fastened them tight with book clips.

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Despite creating chyrsalis' days apart, they both emerged on the same morning and we found them when we woke up, all ready to air out their wings.  This is a beautiful process of slow motion fanning. The ones with black dots on the lower wings are male, those without are female. We had one of each. 

The kids stayed on watch outdoors as they dried out, feeding them oranges, bananas and milkweed flowers before they fly away.

Best science project ever!