How to Raise Monarch Butterflies
Tips for Taking Care of Monarchs from Caterpillars to Butterflies
Oct 16, 2008
Monarch butterflies are popular because of their beauty and their migrating habits. Some of these tiny creatures travel up to three thousand miles, in a bird-like migration, heading south in the fall and returning north in the spring. Spring, summer and fall are great times to hone in on children’s scientific observation skills and teach them about caring for the earth and living things.
Materials for Raising Monarch
To raise Monarchs, you will need:
- A butterfly cage: Purchase a net at a local store (Wal-Mart or toy stores usually have them) or make a container. It needs to be large enough to host the butterfly, and it helps for observation if it is clear.
- Caterpillars: Look for monarch caterpillars where milkweed grows or purchase them online (or at local butterfly events).
- A stick or twig: This provides a sturdy foundation upon which the caterpillars can crawl and from which they can eventually hang.
- Milkweed: Monarch caterpillars need a lot of milkweed! They grow rapidly, requiring a fresh supply of food, daily. It is important to have an ample supply before collecting or receiving any caterpillars. Look for milkweed growing wild in the Midwestern U.S. or purchase it at a local nursery.
Observing the Life Cycle of a Monarch Butterfly
A Monarch caterpillar is very small after it hatches from its egg. Over a period of around two weeks, the caterpillar will grow rapidly. It will then
- Attach itself to a branch in the container (or to the top of the container)
- Hang upside-down in a “J” shape
- Secrete a fluid, which will form a hard, green chrysalis around its body.
After 10-14 days, the chrysalis will begin to grow more transparent and the butterfly will hatch out. Once emerged, the butterfly will pump its seemingly limp wings. Within a few minutes, they will be upright and strong.
Feel free to observe the butterfly for several hours or a day. Then, release the butterfly and allow it to continue the life cycle.
Caring for a Deformed Butterfly
Unfortunately, the natural success rate of butterflies is not perfect. Sometimes, caterpillars will stop growing and die. Some will not properly form a chrysalis. Some will form a chrysalis, but will never emerge. Others may emerge from the chrysalis with deformed wings.
Butterflies with deformed wings can be a great learning experience for kids. Since these butterflies cannot survive outside, it is acceptable to keep and care for them inside. They can live for quite a long time, up to many weeks, on a simple diet of sugar and water. Simply soak a cotton ball in a mixture of sugar and water, and provide fresh food daily.
Monarch Resources
Monarch Watch: This website gives valuable information about Monarchs, and caterpillars are available for purchase. The site also has a helpful index of milkweed plants (click on "Milkweed" and then click on "Photo Guide" on the upper left side of the page).
Monarch Lab: This site offers a question/answer forum for teachers who use monarchs in the classroom and homeschool setting.
 |
 |
 |
 |
