Good morning readers! So, I’ve been eyeballing this thing I seen on Amazon for some time, maybe 2 years? And finally, as I’m watering my pollinator flowers I noticed something was missing, the pollinators themselves! I haven’t had any butterflies come vist except for moths, which is nice but I’d like to see some of their other cousins (this is where the “thing” from Amazon comes into play). It’s a stem research, technically it’s for kids but it comes with live caterpillars, but who doesn’t like to look at wriggly caterpillars? Let’s brew about it!
I ordered the Insect Lore Butterfly Garden, they had 2 different options where you can get either 5 or 10 caterpillars,( I went with 5) a butterfly enclosure, a stand for your caterpillars once they’ve spun their chrysalis, an activity booklet and some sugar for when they’ve hatched. Now, again, it’s meant for kids but it’s cool to see these little guys bustle around. Of course after being shipped in a box from California, they were a bit lethargic but after a dose of kitchen light they were moving and grooving. Instructions stated no direct sunlight and since my back patio has the feline persuasion waltzing freely back there I felt it safer for them to be inside.
I feel like this would be great for kids through out the year, especially for summer or even homeschool because the activity book helps define the different parts of the butterfly as well as a log to draw with for each day they are in their little space. However, it’s nice to see them even as an adult grabbing coffee in the morning.
Now, my next thought that crossed my mind, one is there a way to get more caterpillars and 2 what plants do these butterflies like? The butterflies or soon to be, enjoy cone flowers, lupine and other sorts of flowers(oh damn I have to get more flowers). and these little beauties are none other than Painted Lady butterflies. I’m super excited to see these guys transform at the moment they have spun their cocoons so I’ll need to switch them up relatively soon in their side ways capsule. But to answer my first question Insect Lore DOES have an option to buy just the caterpillars, for 15 dollars which isn’t bad. In fact I may buy more. What are your thoughts? Would you be interested in having these cute critters? I can’t wait to see them hatch!
As Always Keep On Brewin!