Painted Lady Butterflies

April 11, 2013

The caterpillars arrive.

Arriving on a cool April day, the boys excitedly place the new caterpillars in a choice place.

So as to not scare the caterpillars with a squirrel, G decides to place the container on top of a candle.  Luckily, it was not lit.

April 18

Forming Chrysalises

 

Seven days after arrival, they begin to pupate.

The last three form their chrysalis.  Next stop, butterfly cage.

 

An IMAX movie about butterflies seems to be appropriate.

April 21

Chrysalis Mayhem

The chrysalises started to do things they've never done before.  This one cracked.

This one fell.

And this one created it chrysalis on webbing, so he was kind of suspended.  Luckily their webs are VERY sticky.

April 30

Butterflies Begin to Emerge

I came down early Tuesday morning and found the first one emerging.  By the time I got my camera, the second one was out.

He's drying his wings while standing on the webbing of the other chrysalis waiting to emerge.  You can see the wings through the chrysalis.

And the last ones makes its way out.

April 30-May 2

Holding & Naming our Butterflies

K enjoyed holding them and running around the kitchen with them.

Little G. was quite fascinated.

C found her favorite and named him "Wings".  She grew a real attachment to him.

He stayed on her finger for well over an hour.

Big G. was finally able to get one on his finger.  He was so jittery (G not the butterfly) that they didn't want to stay around him for too long.

Captivated.

It was such a joy to see them holding the butterflies.  They really do enjoy this activity.

G finally stayed still long enough for a butterfly to walk around on his hand.

I just really liked this shot of the Painted Lady on G's hand.

Each child holding a butterfly.  This seemed to be the morning ritual.  Most times it lasted over an hour.  I basically had to drag them upstairs to do bookwork.  I didn't mind though.  What a great learning experience.

The Game on his shirt: Which one of these bugs does not belong here?  Which one of these bugs are not the same?  Now it's time to play our game!  It's time to play our game! =)

Painted Lady on our window sill

Hanging out on my finger.

The window was their favorite place to be.  I'm thinking they were dreaming of their freedom someday.

It's a little out of focus.  But I love the way the outside light lit up his wings.

The only time I was able to get a pic of a proboscis out while they were eating.  They're not big fans of cameras being jammed down in their house. Ha!

May 3

The Bitter/Sweet Release

This was very difficult for them.  They wanted to keep the butterflies longer, but our weather forecast wasn't going to allow it for any other day.  We had to let them go before the week was up.  So upon realizing that, they agreed to an early release.

C let out the first one.  It is up by G's shoulder (left of the B in Basketball).

This one hung out fluttering in the house for awhile.

G found this one after he was released sitting on the grass (bottom right orangish blur).

Little G got one out on his finger.  You can see it fluttering away (between his wrist and helmet).

C felt jipped because the last one she released flew away quickly, so I let her release another one.  Again, it took off. (located by her ankle)

K attempting to get one on his hand.

Big G actually got one out on his hand.  I think it was just plain old scared stiff. hehe

He was the only one to get it to keep on him.  He was very excited.

We found one of the butterflies on our neighbor's bush.

A Few Lessons Learned:

1. Don't name your butterfly.  It makes it much harder to let it go.

2. Don't keep them caged up for too long.  They begin to fight.  Or have a separate habitat to put the fighter in.

3. If you take the butterflies out of their habitat in your house, make sure they're over a wipe-able area.  They poop red. 

4. Don't expect your butterflies to hang around and enjoy you before they take off.  They won't. (at least that has been our experience for the past 3 years)

Now the kids are on the lookout for caterpillars to fill the void.  I'm hoping they find a swallowtail!