You look out the window and see a beautiful butterfly fluttering in front of your eyes. Think that, incredibly, this beauty originated from a caterpillar no longer than 2 cm, which was in your garden and which probably fed on your precious roses. While your gaze is lost looking at the butterfly you ask yourself: "If only there was another way to have them in the garden". And then suddenly you think: "I raise them myself!"
Steps
Part 1 of 5: Catching a Caterpillar
Step 1. Prepare a well-ventilated container
You can find suitable ones at hobby stores, pet stores, on the internet, or you can build your own with items you have at home. The ideal would be a container with a metal mesh base, to give the caterpillar a support on which to cling. A 4-liter aquarium or jar is also fine, as long as they are lined with a grid or gauze held tight with a rubber band at the top.
- Don't use perforated lids, though, as they don't provide adequate ventilation and can also injure delicate caterpillars with sharp edges around the holes.
- Place a 5cm layer of soil and grass at the bottom of each container if you think the caterpillar can pupate underground. If not, a layer of paper towels or newspaper is just as good.
Step 2. Look for caterpillars on your plants
Instead of using an insecticide or squashing them, try to identify them (see 'Warnings') and catch them to raise butterflies. The butterfly season is from late spring to summer, depending on the geographical area. If you don't know a place to find them, consult a local expert to determine which plants are their favorites and which "host" butterflies, or search the Internet. Different types of butterflies prefer different environments. Some common "host" plants are:
- Milkweed - Monarch Butterfly.
- Lindera - Lindera's Swallowtail.
- Papaya-Swallowtail Tiger.
- Cardo - Vanessa Cardui.
- Parsley, dill and fennel - Papilio.
- Cherry - Cecropia Moth, Viceroy, Red-spotted purple.
- If it's not the season for caterpillars, or you just don't have time to hunt them, consider purchasing them from a specialty store. We will tackle this issue better in the last section.
Part 2 of 5: Creating the Habitat for the Caterpillar
Step 1. Drag the caterpillar onto a stick
Use a twig (preferably from the same host plant) or a similar object. Handle it very gently because it could die falling even from a small height.
- Do not pick it up with your hands for three reasons: it will be more difficult to move it to its new home (it clings tightly to the surfaces it walks on and brutally tearing it off could damage it); the bacteria present on the hands can transmit infections; moreover some caterpillars are poisonous (see the 'Warnings').
- Put the stick with the caterpillar in the container. The stick is important, because it is the place where the chrysalis can rest.
Step 2. Return to the plant or bush where you found the caterpillar
Cut a small branch with some leaves. It is probably the host plant (which the caterpillar eats). Some caterpillars, such as that of the monarch butterfly, can only eat one type of leaves (milkweed). Others instead eat from a variety of plants. However, they go hungry before eating a food that is unusual for them.
If you are unsure, consult a guide and get some leaves of the caterpillar host plant of your choice
Step 3. Put the leaves in the container
Check for insects and spiders before introducing them to its habitat, as they could injure and kill the caterpillar. Be sure to replace the leaves every day, as caterpillars don't eat old or dry leaves. If you want to keep the food even fresher, put it in flower pipettes (you can find them really cheaply in most florist shops) with water. Do not use a plate, vase or bowl to hold the food, however, because the caterpillars could fall inside and drown.
If the caterpillar is on the food you want to replace, do not try to forcibly remove it, as it will cling very tightly and you may tear its legs off. Instead, put it on a new branch, let it move on its own, then remove the old branch
Step 4. Keep the container outdoors
Place it in a hidden and protected area, away from sources of intense heat, cold and away from pets or people who could disturb its growth process. If you live in a dry environment, it may be advisable to spray the container with water from time to time, as caterpillars prefer a humid habitat. But don't overdo it, as too much moisture can facilitate mold growth.
If you want to make the environment more humid, place some sort of transparent plastic or cellophane around the container. This seals in the heat, increasing the humidity. It is particularly suitable for the caterpillars of the Vanessa and Viceroy butterflies
Part 3 of 5: Caring for the Caterpillar
Step 1. Check the caterpillar daily
Clean out its droppings and any molds that may grow. Resist the temptation to touch it, especially when it hibernates or is changing color, as this may be where it begins to transform. Give him fresh food and watch him change his appearance. It will soon turn into a chrysalis (butterfly) or cocoon (moth).
- Leave the chrysalis intact. At this point in its development it no longer needs food or water, you just need to spray it every now and then to create a humid environment.
- Caterpillars make a lot of excrement. It would be advisable to put a few sheets of newspaper on the bottom of the container to collect and dispose of them more easily. Cleaning the habitat of residues is a very important step, because if they remain in the container for a long time, the caterpillars could get sick and die.
Step 2. Monitor the caterpillar's behavior
If you notice that it is changing color or appearing lethargic, it is likely that it is molting or forming a chrysalis. He is very vulnerable at this stage, so you must not touch him or alter his environment. You will also find that in this process it begins to fold in on itself.
However, these signs could also indicate that he is ill. If a caterpillar dies, you need to remove it immediately so as not to infect other healthy caterpillars
Step 3. Make sure the chrysalis is hanging outdoors
Make sure it hangs in an area of the container where, once emerged, it will have enough space to expand the wings completely without touching the ground or walls of the container. It needs enough space for the wings to develop properly and stay dry, to be able to fly when opening, otherwise the butterfly may fall to the ground and not survive.
- If necessary, gently move the branch or object on which the chrysalis is hanging to make it easier for it to be born. Again, be very, very delicate. Move it slowly. It must not fall or the future butterfly will be injured.
- If the chrysalis falls off, attach the tip to a piece of paper with the slightly cooled hot glue and wait for it to harden. Then attach the paper to a card or cork and place it in the container.
Step 4. Be patient
The time it takes for the butterfly or moth to be born depends on the species. If you are a keen observer and can accurately identify the caterpillar's colors and other distinguishing marks, do a search in a butterfly book or on the Internet. Some specimens, the monarch for example, emerge from the chrysalis in 9-14 days. Others, on the other hand, remain in the chrysalis phase even throughout the winter and emerge in spring.
- The only thing to do during this period is to spray the container normally. It does not need food or water but only a suitable environment.
- It's nice to see the chrysalis change colors. When it becomes clear, it means that the birth is imminent. It can happen in the blink of an eye, so if you want to see it pop up, you don't have to walk away. It then hangs for a couple of hours, spreading its wings and completely assuming the shape of a butterfly.
- If the chrysalis turns dark, it may be dead. Try bending it, if it stays bent it is probably really dead.
Part 4 of 5: Caring for the Butterfly
Step 1. Prepare to feed the butterfly as it emerges
He will not eat for several hours. At first it needs to pump fluids into the withered wings and let them dry. Once released, the butterfly will feed in your garden if it finds flowers with nectar. It could also drink from hummingbird feeders. Some butterflies also feed on very ripe fruit. Make sure your garden is ready to welcome it.
Don't worry if you raised a moth instead of a butterfly. Moths have designs on their wings just like butterflies; even if they are much less colorful, the markings can still be very distinctive and original. The various shades of monotonous colors are also beautiful to behold in nature
Step 2. Observe the butterfly for a few hours
When the wings are dry, you can put a finger under his paws and if you're lucky he should climb on them. Go outside and place it on a flower to take some great photos. If you've done some research, you know that some can live for a single day, so keep this in mind when you decide to let her go wild.
Butterflies need to be free to truly thrive. You can only keep them if you have a huge garden to house them. Also know that many species are migratory, if you really want to see them live you must respect their freedom
Step 3. Watch your butterfly live free
Some live only a few days, others migrate after a short time, others still can stay for weeks. In any case, you will be satisfied that you have successfully raised your butterfly and contributed in your little one to develop future generations.
If you have raised a Luna moth, Cecropia or Polyphemus you don't have to worry about feeding them. These strange creatures do not have the digestive system
Part 5 of 5: Finding Alternative Ways to Search for Caterpillars
Step 1. Consider capturing an adult female
Most of the females captured have already been fertilized and are able to lay eggs. If you get one, you can get her to spawn.
- If you are raising a butterfly, prepare a cage with a bottle of water and supports it can support itself on and place it near a light source (preferably sunlight). This can encourage her to spawn. You should keep her in a cool, dark place for a couple of days to help her adjust to her new environment.
- Raising a moth is much simpler than a butterfly. If you catch an adult female, simply place her in a large folded paper bag and leave her there for a couple of days. It will likely deposit the eggs inside the bag. Finally tear off the bag, remove the eggs without touching them and place them in a more suitable container.
Step 2. Visit a monarch butterfly farm
Since these are so widespread, there are farms that breed them and where you can order caterpillars. Some companies can even ship the little creatures to you completely safely and protect their lives.
The only downside to this is that you have to get their food, the milkweed. If this plant is not present in your area, you must obtain it by ordering it online or growing it yourself if you want to breed the monarch successfully
Step 3. Purchase caterpillars from a supplier
If you can't find them in your garden or it's not the right time of the year (which varies depending on the geographic area), you can find "caterpillar suppliers". Most companies have a large variety of species that you can choose from and you will know exactly what type of butterfly will be born. The Vanessa cardui is probably the simplest to breed, as a growing medium in which it can feed is sufficient.
However, this method is certainly less exciting than personal caterpillar research and hunting for information to know what it loves to eat. If you can, spend time searching your garden. Exhaust all possibilities before approaching a company that sells caterpillars
Advice
- Caterpillars do not need a supply of water. They get all they need from fresh leaves.
- When harvesting the caterpillars of the monarch butterfly, look for them on the milkweed and cut the stem they are eating to transfer them to the container. This way you can be sure that the caterpillar will not get injured.
- Try breeding different caterpillars from your region and discover the magnificent butterflies that will be born. In North America, for example, look for caterpillars that look like bird droppings and have extra-long antennae, as these will spawn beautiful dark blue butterflies.
- Look for caterpillars in different environments, not just in your garden. Try the park, or use this pretext to take a family outing into nature.
- Butterflies and moths are cold-blooded animals, which means that they warm the body thanks to the sun. In addition, they need flowers with nectar to feed.
- The caterpillar may die, but don't be discouraged. The breeding of caterpillars requires practice and various attempts with the types of food and the preparation of the habitat. Research the species you are trying to breed to find out what they like. Be sure to remove dead caterpillars from the container, especially if they have died of infection, so they don't infect others.
Warnings
- Watch out for "fire-breathing" caterpillars (Perga affinis) which spit poison as a defense mechanism when touched. If the poison hits you in the eye, it could cause serious damage.
- If you buy caterpillars, remember that in many regions only licensed companies have legal permission to breed them.
- Be wary of highly colored caterpillars with sharp thorns, as they can be poisonous. As you have more experience in breeding butterflies, you will be able to cautiously try to breed this type of caterpillar because they often produce large beautiful butterflies.
- Do not collect or disturb caterpillars or butterflies that are endangered, threatened or protected.
- Many species of English butterflies feed exclusively on nettles, so be careful not to sting yourself when you pick them up!
- Always try to collect caterpillars from local plants, instead of sourcing them from exotic locations or buying them from a butterfly farm. Introducing butterflies that are not native to your area, or other animal species, can be harmful to the ecosystem, because some invasive species can lead to the extinction of existing ones. Many countries also have tough laws against the introduction of non-native species.
