Hobbies And Interests
Things You'll Need
Instructions
Prepare the habitat. Make sure the habitat is very clean. Remember to wash your hands before working with the caterpillar's habitat. Caterpillars can die from exposure to bacteria that could be on your hands. Line the bottom of a gallon jar or terrarium with paper towels so that you can clean it easily.
Cut branches of the host plant. Insert a branch into a bottle with water. Stuff the bottle neck with facial tissue to hold the branch still and to prevent the caterpillar from falling into the water. Place remaining branches in water in the refrigerator.
Place the twig you used to carry the caterpillar into the habitat with the caterpillar on it. Make sure the twig is long enough to allow the caterpillar to reach the branches of food. If it is too short, find a longer twig and place it in the habitat as well.
Replace the food branches whenever they begin to wilt. The caterpillar needs fresh food constantly.
Remove and replace the paper toweling twice daily or any time waste begins to build up. Frass, the waste produced by caterpillars, can cause illness if left in the habitat.
Very lightly mist the habitat once daily. Do not allow large moisture droplets to accumulate on the inside of the glass, however. Viceroy and admiral butterflies are the only species who prefer a humid climate.
Provide fresh food and a clean environment continuously. Watch your caterpillar munch his way to maturity. When the caterpillar pupates, food will not be needed any more. Make sure there is a long twig reaching near the top of the habitat for the moth or butterfly to emerge and hang on to while drying. Do not try to assist with the process.
Set the butterfly or moth free to find a mate and begin the process again within a day or two of emerging. You will need to check to see if your particular species of butterfly or moth needs food as an adult. The adult will likely fare better in the wild, as providing proper nectar may prove difficult.